If you are wondering what the Prolaris genetic test is all about, then you are reading the right article. In this piece, we will reveal all you need to know about the prolaris genetic test. If you are ready, let us begin.
Related Posts
Table of Contents
What is the Prolaris Genetic Test?
This assessment is designed to analyze the changes that happen to the forty-six genes found in the prostate’s biopsy tissue. When an individual takes the Prolaris genetic test, a risk score will be generated. This score helps to predict the possibility of disease growth in a man who has prostate cancer.
The purpose of this assessment is to help the doctor and the patient decide whether surgery is needed at that point or not. This means that the choice is between active treatment involving radiation therapy or immediate surgery versus active surveillance with no radiation or surgery. The latter option applies only to cancers that are graded as intermediate or low.
Therefore, high-grade cancers require the first option. As such, this assessment is only recommended for patients who have either intermediate or low-risk conditions. Another factor that determines the consideration of this assessment for patients is their life expectancy. If a patient’s life expectancy is deemed to be less than 10 years, there is no point in having this test.
What is the Prolaris Genetic Test’s Accuracy?
When it comes to evaluating the progression risk of prostate cancer, three main elements serve as the basis. Prediction models such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group depend on these elements. These elements are:
- PSA (prostate-specific antigen) value
- Gleason score
- Clinical factors
The purpose of the prolaris test is to enhance these prediction models’ accuracy. You can visit https://journals.lww.com/ to learn more about these prediction models. This is made possible thanks to the addition of genetic information that the three elements listed above do not provide. Therefore, with the assessment, one can get a risk estimate of a patient’s prostate cancer-specific mortality.
In other words, it will help you determine the aggressiveness of the cancer. The aggressiveness of the cancer is based on clinical factors alone. A 10-point score can be generated with the genetic information obtained. However, the eventual risk evaluation takes into consideration clinical factors in addition to genetic information.
The bottom line is that the test result is fully accurate. As such, you can depend on it to decide on the next course of action. Furthermore, the results can reveal the level of treatment you need to get the best outcome. This information allows you to plan your life without leaving room for vagueness.
Why Should You Take the Prolaris Genetic Test?
If you are still wondering whether to take the test or not, this section will help you make up your mind. We will reveal some benefits of taking this assessment. Let us take a look at them, shall we?
Protects You from Under or Over Treatment
Previous prediction models could not accurately determine the level of treatment a patient needed. This led to patients being under-treated or over-treated. As such, the cancer was not correctly treated.
However, with this test, you can say goodbye to this trial-and-error method. You can check this post for a comparison between precision medicine versus the trial-and-error method. The assessment will allow the doctor to determine the exact level of treatment you need. This, in turn, will boost your confidence and allow you to decide on the treatment path to take.
Allows You to Make Well-informed Decisions
Decisions in the past used to be a gamble. Even the doctors could not confidently decide on what to do. This is why the prolaris genetic test is a relief for both patients and medical practitioners alike.
Now, the decisions are not gambling but are based on accurate information. The assessment helps in the identification of those that require ADT (adding hormone therapy) and those that do not. It also helps to determine who has to go for surgery or radiation, and who still needs to be kept under active surveillance.
Reveals your True Risk
Cancer recurrence is not an easy experience. This can also be said of rapid cancer growth that can spread to other parts of the body and not just the origin point. All these things in the past could not be predicted accurately. Thankfully, with the prolaris genetic test, you can find out what your true risk level is and whether you will survive the cancer 10 years from now.
Conclusion
Your urologist or pathologist will order and conduct the test when you are ready. They will get all the tissues needed from a previous biopsy. Your genes will be analyzed to generate a score. Within 2 weeks, the results will be available for review. With your doctor’s help, you will learn what the results mean to help you decide on what to do.
