According to scientists at the Monell Institute, skin cancer has a distinct odor. A recent report details the odor profile for basal cell carcinoma, determined via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. This is the first research to identify and quantify the details of such odors. Such odor profiling will eventually allow cancer detection with an electronic nose, perhaps before visible symptoms are present. (Picture the tricorder used in the TV show Star Trek.) Current methods for skin cancer diagnosis involve surgical biopsy, something that can only be done after a tumor is visible. Monell scientists continue to work on gathering data for profiles of other, more dangerous forms of skin cancer.
Read more at Physorg.com
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