Advance in Cancer Diagnosis

Researchers at Stanford University are developing a set of tests for diagnosing cancer that could lead to less invasive diagnostic methods, as well as more accurate results. Cancer is traditionally diagnosed with a tissue biopsy, where a doctor removes a selection of tissue and searches through the sample for evidence of cancerous cells. Biopsies are effective, but they are also invasive, potentially painful procedures and the results take time to process. The researchers at Stanford have developed a new test that can analyze a small drop of blood for the presence of specific proteins associated with cancer. The test is so accurate, that the research indicates it could also be used for much more effective tracking of patient progress and response to treatment.

The researchers were studying lymphomas, which are cancers of the lymph nodes, but they expect further research to show the same test would be effective for solid tumors, such as head-and-neck cancers. Much more research needs to be accomplished before this technology can be deployed on a regular basis, but it’s an excellent example of how our greater knowledge of cancer biology is leading to more effective diagnosis and treatments.