Breath tests may allow for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer carries a very poor prognosis as most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Now a newBJS(British Journal of Surgery) study indicates that breath analyses may help detect pancreatic cancer earlier, when curative treatments may be possible.

For the study, investigators examinedvolatile organic compoundsin breath samples from patients with localized and metastatic pancreatic cancers, compared with patients with benign pancreatic disease and some with a normal pancreas. Tests identified 12 compounds that were indicative ofpancreatic癌症。这些化合物来自三个主要的化学作用cal groups, namely aldehydes, alkanes and alcohols.

"The final application of breath testing in the patient care pathway will depend on test sensitivity and specificity in large multicentre clinical trials, and its performance in earlypancreatic cancerand high-risk groups," the authors wrote.