Pilot study: Volatile organic compounds as a diagnostic marker for head and neck tumors

• Published in: Head & neck 2008-06, Vol.30 (6), p.743-749
• Main Authors: Schmutzhard, Joachim, Rieder, Josef, Deibl, Martina, Schwentner, Ilona M., Schmid, Stefan, Lirk, Philip, Abraham, Irene, Gunkel, Andreas R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - metabolism; Breath Tests - methods; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - metabolism; Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnosis; Head and Neck Neoplasms - metabolism; HNSCC; Humans; Mass Screening - methods; Mass Spectrometry; Medical sciences; noninvasive; Organic Chemicals - metabolism; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pilot Projects; proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry; Reproducibility of Results; screening method; VOC-profile; Volatilization
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.20779

Background In the last decade, the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC) has undergone a rapid development. In this pilot study, patients with HNSCC were tested with a proton transfer reaction‐mass spectrometry in order to establish a minimal invasive screening method. Methods Overall in a period of 2 years, 22 carcinoma patients were recruited for the study. All patients had a newly diagnosed histologically secured squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. These results were statistically compared with 3 control groups: healthy controls, high‐risk, and posttherapy patients. Results Two hundred nine different masses were measured; 188 of these were evaluated. The statistical workup of the 4 study groups produced 42 different masses, which showed a statistically significant difference from the carcinoma group compared with the control groups. Conclusion A screening method for HNSCC using VOC seems to be possible, but further investigation is necessary. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008