Simple urine test can help diagnose `aggressive bladder cancer`

Melbourne: A new study has revealed that a simple urine test could distinguish between aggressive and low-grade bladder cancers, thus helping doctors to tailor and speed up their treatment.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham measured levels of a protein shed by bladder tumours in 600 patients and found that higher amounts of the protein, EpCAM, in the urine were associated with more aggressive cancers.

According to study author Dr Douglas Ward , this protein could be used to help doctors to decide what the best course of investigation or treatment for the patients is, and may prevent unnecessary delays.

The research is published in the British Journal of Cancer.