A ‘world-first’ study backed by Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation could pave the way for very early detection of lung cancer as well as new treatments for it.
Led by Professor Sam Janes, the research team from University College London (UCL) has discovered new ways of understanding and identifying the earliest stages of the development of the disease.
Before lung cancer develops, precancerous lesions (or damaged tissue) are found in the airway, but only half of these will progress to become lung cancer, while others will either disappear or remain benign and non-harmful. The problem is that under the microscope, all these lesions look the same, making it difficult to establish which ones to treat and which to leave alone. Read more