Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous oncological diseases, partly due to the risk of recurrence. Russian scientists have developed a new diagnostic method that helps assess the spread of a tumor through the lungs in advance and can reduce the likelihood of its reappearance. The details were revealed by Marina Zavyalova, Head of the Department of Pathological Anatomy at Siberian State Medical University.
Before surgery, it is very difficult for doctors to determine if a tumor has started spreading through the airways within the lungs. Even modern diagnostic methods do not always cope with this task. Computed tomography and frozen tissue sections, which are examined directly during surgery, often give false results. As Zavyalova noted, their accuracy does not exceed 60%.
Tomsk researchers proposed a different approach. Instead of studying the shape and structure of cells, the technology analyzes metabolites – substances formed during metabolism within the tissue. The method was called metabolomic analysis. In other words, scientists study a unique "chemical trace" of the tumor, which can show its behavior and tendency to spread much more accurately than conventional microscopy.
The technology for predicting tumor spread through the air spaces of the lungs can minimize the risk of recurrence by approximately 98–99% and increase the life expectancy of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, Zavyalova said.
The development will continue in the new laboratory of translational medicine. They plan to focus on creating methods for early diagnosis of socially significant diseases. This includes not only oncology, but also metabolic syndrome, as well as pregnancy pathologies.