Scientists find genetic blood patterns for prostate cancer

LONDON (REUTERS) - Scientists have found two distinct genetic "signatures" for prostate cancer that may help doctors predict which patients have aggressive tumours, and designed experimental blood tests to read those genetic signs like barcodes.

The teams, whose work was published on Tuesday in the Lancet Oncology journal, believe tests developed from the signatures could eventually be used to tell which patients need immediate treatment.

"Prostate cancer is a very diverse disease - some people live with it for years without symptoms but for others it can be aggressive and life-threatening," said Mr Johann de Bono, who led a study at Britain's Institute of Cancer Research.

"So it's vital we develop reliable tests to tell the different types apart."