A simple breath test may help diagnose lung cancer in its early stages, according to a recent study HealthDay reported.
Researchers at the University of Louisville tested the exhaled breath of people with suspicious lesions on their lungs that were detected on computed tomography scans. The researchers then matched their findings with pathologic and clinical results, HealthDay reported.
The breath samples were analyzed using a silicone microprocessor and mass spectrometer developed at the University of Louisville.
"Instead of sending patients for invasive biopsy procedures when a suspicious lung mass is identified, our study suggests that exhaled breath could identify which patients may be directed for an immediate intraoperative biopsy and resection," Michael Bousamra, associate professor of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the university, said in a statement.
Bousamra and his colleagues tested the exhaled breath samples for four specific volatile organic compounds known as carbonyls.
Researchers found that patients with elevated levels of three of the four carbonyls were predictive of lung cancer in 95 percent of patients. Those who had normal levels of these substances were predictive of a noncancerous growth in 80 percent of patients.
HealthDay reported that Elevated carbonyl levels returned to normal after lung cancer patients had surgery to remove the malignant modules.
Bousamra said the breath analysis could be used as a standard test for lung cancer.
"The novelty of this approach includes the simplicity of sample collection and ease for the patient," he said.
The research was presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons in Orlando, FL, this week.
Researchers said the research should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
