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The News article of Abi Berger"Saliva Test could diagnose cancers"
quoting the work of Professor Sideransky(Science 2000;287:2017-9),BMJ
March Issue, is of great interest in many respects.
For one, the real value of testing for genetic mutations in mitochondral
cells from saliva,urine and other body fluids , is yet to be documented
when such testing becomes a screening routine in clinically unknown
situations,i.e., to detect hidden cancer prior to cancer's clinical
appearance.For another it should be cost effective, similar to flexible
sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.
In the United States some centers are advocating total body Computerized
Tomography scans to detect among other conditions hidden as yet undetected
cancer.Testing for genetic mutations in the mitochodria of cells from body
fluids would be a lot simpler screening method once clinical trials
support the findings of Professor Sideransky, but in unknowns.
Cancer Screening with the use of genetic abnormality in mitochondrial cells from body fluids
The News article of Abi Berger"Saliva Test could diagnose cancers"
quoting the work of Professor Sideransky(Science 2000;287:2017-9),BMJ
March Issue, is of great interest in many respects.
For one, the real value of testing for genetic mutations in mitochondral
cells from saliva,urine and other body fluids , is yet to be documented
when such testing becomes a screening routine in clinically unknown
situations,i.e., to detect hidden cancer prior to cancer's clinical
appearance.For another it should be cost effective, similar to flexible
sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.
In the United States some centers are advocating total body Computerized
Tomography scans to detect among other conditions hidden as yet undetected
cancer.Testing for genetic mutations in the mitochodria of cells from body
fluids would be a lot simpler screening method once clinical trials
support the findings of Professor Sideransky, but in unknowns.
Munir E Nassar, M.D., FACP
Competing interests: No competing interests