New Urine Test Could Revolutionize Bladder Cancer Monitoring, Treatment in Örebro
ÖREBRO, Sweden – Researchers at University Hospital Örebro are working to develop a simple urine test that could dramatically improve the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for bladder cancer patients, perhaps reducing the need for invasive procedures and tailoring therapies to individual risk levels. The research, led by Jessica Carlsson, aims to identify biomarkers in urine and tumor tissue that predict disease progression and relapse.
Bladder cancer’s aggressiveness varies substantially between patients. While some respond well to standard treatments, others face a high risk of recurrence or disease worsening. Currently, there’s no reliable way to quickly determine which patients fall into each category. Carlsson’s team hopes to change that, offering the possibility of personalized medicine and more effective care.
The research focuses on measuring levels of specific substances in urine samples and tumor tissue to predict a patient’s risk profile. this would allow doctors to proactively offer more aggressive interventions, such as early bladder removal surgery, to high-risk individuals, while sparing low-risk patients from unnecessary procedures and relying on traditional drug treatments.
Currently,bladder cancer patients often endure lengthy and uncomfortable follow-up care involving repeated cystoscopies – camera examinations of the bladder. Carlsson envisions a future where a simple urine test could replace these invasive procedures for monitoring disease development. “My hope is that in the future it will suffice with a simple urine test, to monitor the development of the disease,” she stated.
This research received support from the Key Fund 2025 and represents a notable step towards better care and longer lives for those affected by bladder cancer in Örebro and beyond.
Source: University Hospital Örebro / Örebronyheter
