Exhaled breath analysis in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) comprises a heterogeneous group of upper aerodigestive tract malignant neoplasms, the most frequent of which is squamous cell carcinoma. HNC forms the eighth most common cancer type and the incidence is increasing. However, survival has improved only moderately during the past decades. Currently, early diagnosis remains the mainstay for improving treatment outcomes in this patient population. Unfortunately, screening methods to allow early detection of HNC are not yet established. Therefore, many cases are still diagnosed at advanced stage, compromising outcomes. Exhaled breath analysis (EBA) is a diagnostic tool that has been recently introduced for many cancers. Breath analysis is non‐invasive, cost‐effective, time‐saving, and can potentially be applied for cancer screening. Here, we provide a summary of the accumulated evidence on the feasibility of EBA in the diagnosis of HNC.

Detection of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in exhaled breath as a potential diagnostic method for oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Gruber et al said that ethanol, 2-propenenitrile, and undecane could be potential biomarkers for head and neck tumors [ 13 ]. In addition to volatile compounds, exhaled gas also includes other compounds, such as isoprostanes, polypeptides, nucleic acids, lipid mediators, chemokines, and cytokines [ 14 ]. Therefore, if we analyze various other molecules of exhaled breath, we will be able to find more volatile biomarkers and produce better results.…”

Insight into Classification and Risk Stratification of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Era of Emerging Biomarkers with Focus on Histopathologic Parameters

“…Therefore, the mortality rate of some head and neck cancer subsites still remains high [ 3 ]. Various non- or mini-invasive methods are currently under investigation to aid in early diagnosis [ 4 ]. For example, blood or exhaled breath sampling and analysis may prove as promising potential novel tools during cancer screening [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Porous materials applied to biomarker sensing in exhaled breath for monitoring and detecting non-invasive pathologies

“…[1][2][3] Early detection of cancer is also of primary interest and exhaled breath analysis has been recently considered as a way of detection. [19][20][21][22][23] Recent researches multiply careful studies of variations in exhaled breath VOCs compositions in order to identify biomarkers which could testify for the development of lung cancer, [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] breast cancer, 32 head and neck cancer (HNC) 33 or gastric cancer. 34 A portable biomarker sensor, requiring only sample exhaled breath from patients, and with a rapid response, is a very attractive option to add at the disposal of practitioners to help them and their patients to fight against a set of diseases.…”