Detecting recurrent head and neck cancer using electronic nose technology: A feasibility study

Head Neck. 2019 Sep;41(9):2983-2990. doi: 10.1002/hed.25787. Epub 2019 Apr 23.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this feasibility study was to assess the diagnostic performance of an electronic nose (e-nose) as a noninvasive diagnostic tool in detecting locoregional recurrent and/or second (or third) primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after curative treatment.

Methods: Using an e-nose (Aeonose, The eNose Company, Zutphen, The Netherlands), breath samples were collected from patients after curative treatment of an HNSCC with a locoregional recurrence or second (or third) primary tumor (N = 20) and from patients without evidence of recurrent disease (N = 20). Analyses were performed utilizing artificial neural networking based on patterns of volatile organic compounds.

Results: A diagnostic accuracy of 83% was observed in differentiating follow-up patients with locoregional recurrent or second (or third) primary HNSCC from those without evidence of disease.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using an e-nose to detect locoregional recurrent and/or second (or third) primary HNSCC.

Keywords: diagnostics; electronic nose; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; recurrent head and neck cancer; volatile organic compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breath Tests
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Electronic Nose*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis
  • Netherlands
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Substances

  • Volatile Organic Compounds