(February 12, 2009 - Insidermedicine) Measuring the concentration of tumor cells in the blood predicts survival better than the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test among men with advanced prostate cancer, according to research in The Lancet Oncology.

Here is some information about prostate cancer:

•    When caught early, upwards of 90% of cases can be cured.

•    More than 65% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65.

•    Risk factors include race and family history of prostate cancer.

Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center analyzed the association between circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and survival among over 150 men with advanced prostate cancer. They also looked at how well other tests predicted patients’ outcomes.

High values in both the CTC and PSA tests at the outset of the study were associated with a high risk for death. However, changes in CTC values after 4, 8, and 12 weeks were also highly predictive of survival rates, while changes in PSA were only weakly associated with survival, if at all.

Today’s research suggests that CTC measurement is a more accurate test for determining the risk status of advanced prostate cancer patients before and after initiating treatment.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.