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Dimethyl trisulfide as a characteristic odor associated with fungating cancer wounds
Mika Shirasu1, Shunji Nagai, Ryuichi Hayashi
1Department of Integrated Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8562, Japan.
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.
