New Urine Tests to Detect Kidney Cancer

Two new urine tests have come out recently that detect two proteins in the urine that have been concluded to be bio markers for kidney cancer.

Cat scans and MRI's are typically used to diagnose kidney cancer, however, a urine test is much simpler and easier to detect.

A new study out of Washington University identified two protein biomarkers— aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and perlipin-2 (PLIN2)— that were 95 percent accurate in detecting early-stage kidney cancers. These bio markers are very sensitive to kidney cancer. The study analyzed urine samples from 720 patients. They also looked at specifically 80 deemed "healthy" individuals and 19 patients with kidney cancer to compare.

Lead researcher on the study, Jeremiah J. Morrissey, an anesthesiology professor at Washington University notes: “Each protein, or bio marker, individually pointed to patients who were likely to have kidney cancer, but the two together were more sensitive and specific than either by itself.

When patients are diagnosed with kidney cancer, it often is in the late stages when it has spread. These new tests are a breakthrough for kidney cancer prevention. As with any cancer, early detection saves lives.

Symptoms for kidney cancer include:

• blood in the urine
• pain in the abdomen
• fatigue
• swelling