Dutch researchers have developed an electronic device that is sensitive to people's breath. Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), this could in the future represent a new way of detecting esophageal cancer by detecting its symptoms.
In a publication in the journal BMJ On February 25, 2020, Dutch experts in gastroenterology and hepatology presented the results of their latest study. This involved testing a small, fairly simple device, an electronic "nose" intended to detect esophageal cancer.
Remember that this type of cancer does not always show symptoms. However, some patients may be subject to long-term acid reflux. Experts mention in particular Barrett's esophagus, a condition appearing in the event of gastroesophageal reflux and concerning the cells present in the food pipe. These can change and begin abnormal development.
In 5 to 10% of cases , contracting this disease generates a particular type of esophageal cancer. This is esophageal adenocarcinoma, affecting the glandular cells at the bottom of the esophagus at the junction with the stomach.
Detecting this disease is rather tedious since it is a question of performing an endoscopy . If this technique is expensive, it is also very invasive because it involves introducing a tube equipped with a camera into the esophagus. However, our breath contains molecules that can represent a marker potentially revealing the presence of a disease.
Dutch researchers have therefore developed this electronic nose to identify patients with Barrett's esophagus in a non-invasive way. Indeed, it is simply a question of analyzing their breath using an AI. The latter was trained on samples from 90% of patients then applied its method to the remaining 10%. As part of the study, no less than 402 patients were tested. According to the results, 129 had Barrett's esophagus, 141 had gastroesophageal reflux and 132 had no problem.
According to the project leaders, this device could eventually support esophageal cancer screening by testing people at risk. Also, more people could volunteer more easily, attracted by the prospect of a non-invasive method.
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