Non-small-cell lung cancer can be identified by blood tests that show the immune systems response to tumors years before X-ray or CT can

Jul 17, 2006 07:13 GMT  ·  By

Researchers from the University of Kentucky, USA have developed a new type of blood tests that can appropriately track down non-small-cell lung cancer long before X-ray analyses or CT can. The American medical team found that if they use blood tests to identify an individual's immune system response to tumors, they can predict the incidence of lung cancer in the person.

Lung cancer is known to be primary or secondary. Primary type of cancer is caused by an uncontrollably growing number of abnormal cells in the lung tissue. Secondary type of cancer is also caused by malignant (cancer) cells, but these do not develop in the lungs, but in another area of the body and then come to infect the pulmonary tissues.

Non-small-cell lung cancer is a primary type of cancer and appears in a patient as a result of an extremely high number of lung tissue cells. These abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and come to form a mass or a lump of tissue generally known as a tumor.

Non-small-cell lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer and the most dangerous one. It can be increased by exposure to smoking (directly or second-hand smoking), air pollution or harmful substances (asbestos, radon, chromium, arsenic, tar, soot), radiation therapy (usually performed in breast or chest disorders) etc.

The primary type of cancer cannot be thoroughly cured by current treatments. Figures show that after diagnoses, 50% of the patients found to suffer from non-small-cell lung cancer die in the first year, while around 40% of them continue to live for five years and, if lucky, even more.

Further studies are needed in order to establish the final details of the new blood tests method that will reveal incidence of lung tumors in an individual earlier than current methods.

Dr. Zhong, lead researcher of the study, and colleagues wrote in their report published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology: "These data suggest antibody profiling could be a powerful tool for early detection when incorporated into a comprehensive screening strategy."

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