Prostate Cancer Diagnosis in Urine

To diagnose prostate cancer, scientists have invented a new device. Before learning about that, let us know something about prostate gland and prostate cancer –

Prostate Gland:

• A walnut-sized gland.
• Present in men, located between the bladder and the penis just in front of the rectum.
• The function of prostate gland is to secret alkaline fluid. The fluid contains semen and seminal vesicle fluid.
• During ejaculation, the fluid comes out.

Prostate Cancer:

• Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland of men's reproductive system.
• It is mostly slow growing in nature and obesity, family history and age are the main risk factors.
• Almost 99 percent of prostate cancer occurs after 50 years of age.
• In men, it is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and it is occurring in the developed countries more commonly.
• Biopsy is the only testing method that can confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer currently.
• At early stage prostate cancer shows no clear symptoms.
• In 2012, more than 177,800 American men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Among them more than 27,000 died.
• It is estimated that more than 180,000 American men may be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year (2016). Among them over 26,000 men may face death.
• In the US, prostate cancer is the second most leading cause of death in men.

So, we have known that initially prostate cancer has no symptoms to diagnose. To solve this problem scientists are creating a special tool which can smell prostate cancer in urine. This diagnostic test may end the painful diagnostic procedures Biopsy which men undergo at present.

About Biopsy: Biopsy is a medical test. It is performed by a surgeon. An interventional radiologist or cardiologist can also perform this test. Sample cells or tissues are extracted from the affected region. A pathologist examines it under microscope. It may be chemically analyzed too. Biopsies are done mostly to detect cancer. Biopsies are of many kinds. The most common biopsies are: Needle biopsy, Ultrasound-guided biopsy, CT-guided biopsy, Bone biopsy, Bone marrow biopsy, Skin biopsy, Kidney biopsy, Liver biopsy, Surgical biopsy, Prostate biopsy etc.

New Study on Prostate cancer test by smelling Urine:
Researchers studied 155 men and found the following results: 58 with prostate cancer, 24 bladder cancer and 73 hematuria or poor stream without cancer. The University of Liverpool and the University of the West of England jointly conducted the research, NDTV reported it on Feb 12, 2016. The Journal of Breath Research published the findings. Other leading media also highlighted the news with care.

Odoreader, a gas chromatography sensor system was used by the researchers. This Odoreader successfully identify the compounds in the urine. Actually, it is an 'electronic nose' which is able to smell prostate cancer in urine. The Odoreader was first introduced a couple of years ago for detecting bladder cancer. Researchers says that identifying prostate cancer at early stage is essential because it is more treatable at the earlier stage. Although detailed biopsies are done to detect prostate cancer, risk of failure remained to a great extent.  

According to the researchers, if their test be successful, it will be revolutionary in prostate cancer diagnosis. It will be a milestone which will save many lives. After the primary testing, the researchers are seeking fund for details clinical testing and developing the device commercially. So, further studies will continue.