A new blood test might improve doctors' ability to track the spread of
advanced melanoma skin cancer, according to results of a small,
preliminary study.
The test monitors blood levels of DNA fragments from dead cancer cells,
and is more effective than the current test at tracking the severity and
spread of advanced melanoma, the researchers said.
"Our study results show that circulating tumor DNA is a superior blood
test for evaluating and tracking progression of metastatic melanoma,"
study senior investigator Dr. David Polsky, from NYU Langone Medical
Center in New York City, said in a center news release.
Currently, a test that measures blood levels of an enzyme called lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) is done to guide management of the cancer. LDH
levels rise during aggressive tumor growth. However, levels of LDH also
rise due to other diseases and biological functions, the study authors
pointed out.
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