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What if you could detect cancer by smell?  Well this type of detection is within the realm of possibility.  Human skin releases chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various amounts, these VOCs create unique scents.  These scents are beyond the noticeable range for humans, but the ultra sensitive canine nose can detect them.  Dogs are currently being trained to “sniff out” tumors and to detect any changes in the odor of urine (to indicate bladder cancer).  Researchers are hoping that they can use this technology advancement to develop a new noninvasive test to detect and diagnose skin cancer.

A study conducted by the researchers at the Model Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia examined the air about the tumor sites of 11 patients infected with basal cell carcinoma, as well as the healthy skin of 11 volunteers.  While VOCs were present in both groups, the sites with cancer had different levels present.  “We found that the odor profile coming from the skin of cancer patients was markedly different than that coming from healthy skin, “ said study author Michelle Gallagher, Ph.D. “Researchers have speculated that tumors give off different odors, but we’re the first to identify and quantify the compounds involved in skin cancer odors.”

Currently the research team has only developed an “odor profile” for basal cell carcinoma, but they are working on the profiles of more life threatening squamous cell cancer and for melanoma.  They are proposing the creation of a nanosensor – or electronic nose that can scan the skin and give an alarm when cancer is detected.

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