Dimethyl trisulfide as a characteristic odor associated with fungating cancer wounds.

Abstract

Some advanced cancer patients suffer from pungent sulfury malodor. To determine the chemical identity of the odorant, we performed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry analysis of volatiles from fungating cancer wounds. We identified the source of the characteristic smell as dimethyl trisulfide, a compound that is known to be emitted from some vegetables and microorganisms. Controlling the production of dimethyl trisulfide should improve quality of life of patients.

• Authors: Mika Shirasu, Shunji Nagai, Ryuichi Hayashi, Atsushi Ochiai, Kazushige Touhara
• Journal: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (Biosci Biotechnol Biochem) Vol. 73 Issue 9 Pg. 2117-20 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1347-6947 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19734656 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Sulfides
• dimethyl trisulfide

Topics

• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Neoplasms (complications)
• Odorants
• Sulfides (analysis)
• Wounds and Injuries (physiopathology)