The Mmc5 test is a new urine test which may help detect bladder cancer at an earlier stage, and reduce the need for examinations such as a cystoscopy (examining the bladder with a small camera). The test is still experimental and so is not widely available at present.

The test looks for levels of a protein called minichromosome maintenance 5 (Mcm5) in urine. This protein is made by certain types of cancer cells including transitional cell cancers of the bladder (the most common type of bladder cancer). So Mcm5 is found at higher levels in the urine of people with bladder cancer than in the urine of healthy people.

At present a urine test on its own can’t be used to diagnose cancer. The standard test to diagnose bladder cancer is a cystoscopy and biopsy. This involves looking inside the bladder with a tiny camera attached to a thin tube (cystoscope). With the cystoscope doctors can also take samples from any abnormal looking areas in the bladder. These samples are examined under a microscope for signs of cancer.

A large study of the Mcm5 test involving 3000 people ended in 2006. Results from this are expected later in 2007. Until the results are known, cystoscopy is still the most effective test to detect bladder cancer.

Reference

• Diagnosis of genito-urinary tract cancer by detection of minichromosome maintenance 5 protein in urine sediments. Stoeber et al. 2002. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 94(14)1071-1079.