new technique

Now, researchers have developed a new method to detect the first tell-tale signs of the deadly disease simply by examining the cells swabbed from patients' cheeks.

The new analysis technique, called partial wave spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy can detect cell features of lung cancer as small as 20 nanometers, by simply shining an optical light on samples taken from the cheek.

This method makes use of the "field effect", a biological phenomenon in which cells located some distance from the malignant or pre-malignant tumor undergo molecular changes.

In what may open new avenues for treatment of mouth cancer, a group of international researchers have developed a new microchip that will enable doctors to spot malignant lesions with a high degree of accuracy.

Unlike the current method in practice, which is painful and involves using a scalpel and lengthy lab assessments, the new procedure promises an early diagnose, less anxiety and shorter waiting time.

According to researchers, the ‘smart-bomb’ will relieve cancer sufferers of their trauma sans the adverse effects that are part and parcel of the traditional chemotherapy treatment presently practiced.

Associate Professor Wei Duan at the Deakin University, who heads the project in collaboration with scientists in India stated, "Cancer cells are particularly difficult to kill as they contain so-called cancer stem cells, the root or seed cancer cells that are resistant to drugs.