Doctors develop new test that detects most deadly prostate cancer tumours

A test which spots the most dangerous prostate cancer tumours has been developed by doctors.

 

Current methods mean that differentiating between aggressive and harmless prostate tumours is difficult, especially at an early stage.  For some men, the tumour may grow slowly and never cause problems, whilst for some men the tumour can be lethal.

 

As a result, up to 20,000 men undergo unnecessary radiotherapy or surgery each year.

 

Doctors are currently able to determine the size of a tumour by giving a patient an injection of a solution and then an MRI scan.  This does not, however determine how active the tumour is.

 

But in a new trial, researchers at Cambridge University attached a non-radioactive form of carbon, known as carbon-13, to a sugar-like molecule and injected into a vein close to the tumour.  They discovered that if the carbon-13 was retained by the tumour, it indicated there was a high amount of lactate being produced, a sign that the cancer is aggressive.

 

Dr Nikita Sushentsev, who was involved in the research, said the breakthrough puts doctors one step closer to being able to “distinguish the tigers from pussycats” in prostate cancer.

 

Currently, around 52,000 men are diagnosed every year in the UK with prostate cancer and around 30,000 of those have low-risk tumours.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

Freephone : 0800 304 7382