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Review
. 2017 May 17:8:31-38.
doi: 10.2147/LCTT.S104205. eCollection 2017.

Exhaled breath analysis for the early detection of lung cancer: recent developments and future prospects

Inbar Nardi-Agmon  1   2 , Nir Peled  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Exhaled breath analysis for the early detection of lung cancer: recent developments and future prospects

Inbar Nardi-Agmon et al. Lung Cancer (Auckl). .

Abstract

In lung cancer, the prognosis and treatment options depend directly on tumor size and its spread at the time of diagnosis. There is therefore a constant search for methods that will allow early detection of cancerous lung nodules. With advancing imaging technology and implantation of screening routines in high-risk populations by low-dose computerized tomography, a significant increase in the number of diagnosed small peripheral lesions can be expected. While early detection of small cancerous lesions carries the benefit of wider treatment options and better prognosis, the process of obtaining a biopsy to confirm a cancerous tissue is not free of complications and bears inconveniences and stress to the patient. This review discusses the potential use of exhaled breath analysis as a simple, noninvasive tool for early detection of lung cancer and characterization of suspicious lung nodules.

Keywords: breath sampling; early detection; electronic nose; lung cancer; volatile organic compounds.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Inbar Nardi-Agmon reports no conflict of interest in this work. Nir Peled reports a grant from Tel Aviv University and two patents in the field. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

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