Mesothelioma Breathing Device Could Lead to Safer Diagnosis

CHICAGO, IL, April 02, 2012 (Press-News.org) The breathalyzer is widely used by law enforcement to determine the amount of alcohol a person has consumed. Researchers from the Netherlands and Italy have, with a level of certainty, developed a device that detects malignant pleural mesothelioma from a breath sample, according to Medical News Today.

The report says the "electronic nose," known to developers as Cyranose 320, is able to analyze a person's breath and pick out harmful compounds in the sample.

The research conducted at the respiratory disease departments of the University of Bari in Italy and the University of Amsterdam could dramatically change the way mesothelioma is diagnosed. A thorascopic biopsy is currently the most common way to diagnose the disease. The invasive procedure involves a thin tube, which is inserted into the chest through an incision to allow extraction of a tissue sample. However, it is risky because it can cause a collapsed lung, clotting or blood loss, among other complications. The "electronic nose" would be a far safer option.

The report suggests the device can distinguish, with at least 80 percent accuracy, between breath samples of people with MPM and healthy individuals who have had long-term asbestos exposure even without having developed mesothelioma. The study used 13 patients with biopsy-confirmed MPM, 13 people with known long-term exposure to asbestos but no MPM and 13 individuals with no known asbestos exposure.

In addition to exhibiting an 80 percent accuracy rate when differentiating between those with MPM and those without (despite long-term exposure to asbestos), the device also proved 85 percent accurate when choosing between those with MPM and those who are asbestos-free. The experiments were conducted several times, each time returning the same results. If further studies confirm these success rates, the Cryanose 320 could be developed into a preferred way to diagnose mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma: A Closer Look

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane lining the chest and abdomen. It is caused by significant and prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos was widely used in home and manufacturing construction materials during the 20th century. Typically asbestos is commonly found in:

- Ceilings
- Basements
- Attics
- Flooring
- Pipes
- Insulation

Because of its strength and tolerance to extreme heat, asbestos can also be found in materials such as:

- Floor tiles
- Fuse boxes
- Window sills

Once inhaled, asbestos fibers become lodged in the body and can cause inflammation and irritation.

Problems can worsen over time. Mesothelioma, like the other asbestos-related health problems -- such as asbestosis and lung cancer -- generally take dozens of years to appear, and once diagnosed, treatment is rarely successful.

There are several variants of mesothelioma. MPM is the most common, affecting the lining of the lungs, though it is not lung cancer. It is reported about 2,500 people are affected by the disease each year. That number continues to rise, though some of the increase can be attributed to better diagnostic techniques -- which could soon include the Cyranose 320.

Seidman Law Offices
Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers
Website: http://www.seidmanlaw.net
20 S Clark St.
Chicago, IL
United States 60603

500 Lake Cook Road,
Suite 350
Deerfield, IL 60015