AUSTRALIAN SCIENTISTS DEVELOP BLOOD TEST TO PREDICT HEAD, NECK CANCER RELAPSE

SYDNEY, Feb 25 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Scientists in Australia have developed a simple blood test that detects circulating tumour cells to pinpoint head and neck cancer patients at higher risk of relapse after surgery, reported Xinhua.

Researchers analysed post-surgery blood samples and linked the presence of circulating tumour cells – cancer cells that have broken away from a tumour and entered the bloodstream – to increased recurrence odds, said a statement from Australia's Centenary Institute on Wednesday.

Around 5,500 Australians are diagnosed annually for head and neck cancer, which affects the lining of the mouth, throat and voice box.

While many patients respond well to treatment, a significant number experience relapse, often with limited early warning, said the study published in the European Journal of Surgical Oncology.

Follow-up care relies heavily on scans and clinical exams, which do not always spot early relapse risks, said study co-senior author Jonathan Clark, director of Head and Neck Cancer Research at Australia's Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, in collaboration with Centenary Institute.

"Our findings suggest that detecting circulating tumour cells could provide additional information to help identify patients who may benefit from closer monitoring after surgery," said study lead author Dannel Yeo, laboratory head at the Centenary Institute's Centre for Cancer Innovations.

The findings add to growing evidence that blood-based biomarkers could play an important role in more personalised cancer care, the researchers said.  

--BERNAMA-XINHUA