The use of Breath Biopsy in Laryngeal Cancer diagnosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of breath analysis for the prediction of laryngeal cancer in patients referred as a 2WW referral
IRAS ID
293978
Contact name
Stuart Burrows
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Head & neck cancer affected over 12,000 of people in the UK between 2015 and 2017. The most commonly diagnosed type of H&N cancer is laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
The early identification of patients with cancer as well as the rapid exclusion of those who do not have cancer are equally important. The rapid exclusion of patients saves valuable diagnostic resources that can be relocated as well as providing benefits to the patient by informing them that they do not have cancer at the earliest opportunity.
For those diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, the earlier the diagnosis the greater the chance of cure. Early stage T1 cancer has a 94-96% 5-year survival compared with 30-40% of those with stage 4 disease. The extent of the treatment required to achieve these survival rates also varies greatly. The 94-96% survival rates achieved for T1 tumours can come by undertaking a one-hour day-case operation as opposed to the survival rates for stage 4 disease that often require removal of the voice box as a 6-8 hours of operation and an associated one-month inpatient stay followed by a six-week course of radiotherapy. The treatment for advance staged tumours has significant morbidity and life changing consequences.
The study we are undertaking is a pilot feasibility study to see if an analysis of a breath sample can provide a test that can enhance our ability to identify patients with laryngeal cancer early and provide early reassurance to those that do not have cancer.
If successful developed, we believe that this technology could be used as a rapid screening test that can be used in the primary care setting for at risk groups.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0165
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion