We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Microscopic Hematuria an Unreliable Indicator of Bladder Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Feb 2013
Print article
A study found that microscopic hematuria does not necessarily mean cancer, and has led to a new model to predict renal and bladder cancer risk better.

Blood found in urine that cannot be seen by the naked eye does not necessarily indicate the presence of cancer, according to a Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Gardena, CA, USA) study published in the January 11, 2013, online version of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Tests routinely done on patients with this condition could be avoided and has led to the creation of a screening tool to better diagnose certain types of cancers.

The study examined the electronic health records of more than 4,000 patients with microscopic hematuria who were members of Kaiser Permanente health plans in Southern California, Northern California, and the Pacific Northwest between January 2009 and August 2011. The study found that an extremely small proportion of patients with microscopic hematuria were subsequently discovered to have cancer. Among the 4,414 patients who were evaluated for the condition, only 2.3% were diagnosed with bladder cancer and only 0.2% had a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of renal cancer.

Pathology reports were reviewed for all patients with cancer diagnoses. A total of 50 cancers (44 bladder and 6 renal) were confirmed in the test cohort and 61 cancers (56 bladder and 5 renal) in the validation cohort. In the test cohort, 5 of 55 neoplasms were benign on the final pathology report, and 1 patient with a 1.7-cm, enhancing renal lesion elected close observation and was counted as having stage T1 cancer. In the validation cohort, 56 of 59 bladder cancers were confirmed as were 5 of 7 renal cancers (2 renal lesions were benign hemorrhagic renal cysts). The overall cancer detection rate was 1.9% in the test cohort (50 of 2630 patients) and 3.4% for the validation cohort (61 of 1784 patients).

Overall, 100 bladder cancers were diagnosed among 4414 patients evaluated (2.3%), and only 11 renal cancers were pathologically confirmed (0.2%).

It is probable that patients with microscopic hematuria, especially those under 50 years of age and with no history of gross hematuria, may not benefit from further evaluation, and therefore could avoid routine tests that contain unnecessary risks such as radiation exposure from CT scans and invasive endoscopy.

“This study provides scientific data that confirms what others have suspected—that microscopic hematuria is an unreliable indicator of renal or bladder cancer,” said study lead author Ronald K. Loo, MD, and regional chief of urology for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. “This suggests that a large number of follow-up examinations of patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, which often includes radiologic and invasive procedures, could be safely avoided.”

Related Links:
Kaiser Permanente Southern California


Platinum Supplier
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA
Gold Supplier
D-Dimer Test
Epithod 616 D-Dimer Kit
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Supplier
Turbidimetric Control
D-Dimer Turbidimetric Control

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: A module with eight micro-devices, complete with microfluidic channels and drive motors (Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Energy)

Highly Sensitive pH Sensor to Aid Detection of Cancers and Vector-Borne Viruses

Understanding the acidity or alkalinity of substances through pH measurement is crucial in many fields, from environmental monitoring to healthcare product safety. In many cases, these measurements must... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A new blood test can improve diagnosis for patients with a heart muscle injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

High Sensitivity Blood Test Aids Emergency Diagnosis of Heart Conditions

Troponin, a protein released into the bloodstream during heart attacks or other heart injuries, has long been a focal point in medical diagnostics. Traditionally, various troponin blood tests have aided... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PointCheck is the world’s first device for non-invasive white cell monitoring (Photo courtesy of Leuko Labs)

World’s First Portable, Non-Invasive WBC Monitoring Device to Eliminate Need for Blood Draw

One of the toughest challenges for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is experiencing a low count of white blood cells, also known as neutropenia. These cells play a crucial role in warding off infections.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Current testing methods for antibiotic susceptibility rely on growing bacterial colonies in the presence of antibiotics (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Returns Results within 30 Minutes

In 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1.3 million individuals. The conventional approach for testing antimicrobial susceptibility involves cultivating... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: AI methods used in satellite imaging can help researchers analyze tumor images (Photo courtesy of Karolinska Institutet)

AI Approach Combines Satellite Imaging and Ecology Techniques for Analysis of Tumor Tissue

Advancements in tumor imaging technology have significantly enhanced our ability to observe the minute details of tumors, but this also brings the challenge of interpreting vast amounts of data generated... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: A new electrochemical device can quickly and inexpensively identify people at greatest risk for osteoporosis (Photo courtesy of ACS Central Science, 2023)

Electrochemical Device Identifies People at Higher Risk for Osteoporosis Using Single Blood Drop

With the global increase in life expectancy, the incidence of age-related conditions like osteoporosis is increasing. Osteoporosis, affecting around 200 million individuals worldwide, has a higher incidence... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The acquisition significantly expands Medix Biochemica’s portfolio of IVD raw materials (Photo courtesy of ViroStat)

Medix Biochemica Acquires US-Based ViroStat to Expand Infectious Diseases Antibody Offering

Medix Biochemica (Espoo, Finland), a supplier of critical raw materials to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, has acquired ViroStat LLC (Portland, ME, USA), a provider of infectious disease antibodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.