Preliminary evaluation of urinary polyamines in the diagnosis of genitourinary tract malignancy

Normal ranges for urinary polyamines were determined. Non malignant genitourinary tract disease is not associated with elevated urinary polyamines. A high correlation exists between the presence of active urologic cancer and elevated urinary excretion of polyamines. This was demonstrated in 15 cases of prostate carcinoma, 11 cases of kidney carcinoma, 4 with carcinoma of the testis, and 21 patients with bladder carcinoma. The overall rate of accuracy was 86%. There were 14 false negatives and 1 false positive (prostate) was seen. Post treatment polyamines correlate with the continued presence or absence of genitourinary tract malignancy. Other non malignant conditions known to give falsely positive values include pernicious anemia, acromegaly, hepatitis, viral pericarditis, lupus erythematosis and in some patients taking birth control pills.