UC San Diego Health has become the first in the U.S. to offer a new blood test for testicular cancer.
The test measures the biomarker microRNA-371a-3P, which predicts the presence of testicular cancer cells with 90% accuracy, according to a Nov. 3 system news release. It will be integrated into comprehensive testicular cancer care plans at the system. The test has a number of clinical applications, including for pre-surgery confirmation, treatment guidance, early recurrence detection and as a surveillance alternative.
The test is currently available for the system’s patients, but is expected to expand to other medical centers worldwide later this year.
Testicular cancer affects about 10,000 people in the U.S. each year, with about 500 patients dying from the disease annually, according to the release.
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