Exhaled volatile organic compounds: effective in detecting breast cancer?

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BrCa) presents a highest mortality rate, and its early diagnosis could improve the survival of the patient. At present, there are leading tests used for BrCa detection, but a novel alternative, non-invasive test, such as breath analysis (exhalomic) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are being taken into consideration. Methods: A systematic review (until June 2022) about VOC detection from breath using gas chromatography was performed. The goal was to identify probable oncometabolites in the gas sample from healthy breast tissue women, benign, or malignant lesions, and including cultured cell lines. Results: There are a complex heterogeneity of exhaled VOC mainly alkanes in the analyzed samples, and between the different populations. Discussion: Even when exhaled VOC is detected, some more works should be performed to have conclusions. Interestingly, some VOC is shared with other cancer types. Conclusions: Nowadays, there is no specific BrCa VOC-profile associated for BrCa or benign lesions diagnosis.