Feb. 9, 2011 The earlier cancers can be detected, the better the
chances of a cure. Researchers are now working to develop a new
diagnostics platform with which the illness can be diagnosed in
its early stages, even during a visit to the general
practitioner: protein biomarkers in exhaled air divulge the
presence of pathological cells in the lung. Lung tumors are the
number one cause of death among cancer patients, and one cancer
in three is lung cancer. Each year, there are 50,000 new cases
of the disease in Germany alone. The earlier a tumor can be
detected, the greater the chance of healing the patient. But
early detection is difficult. In its initial stages, the tumor-
related complaints resemble chronic inflammatory reactions. To
get a more complete diagnosis, the patient must undergo an X-ray
examination or an bronchoscopy. The last procedure often
involves irritation of the lung or removal of tissue samples
and, as a result, it is particularly unpleasant for the patient
undergoing the procedure. In rece