To answer the question whether a disease specific profile of breath in patients with lung cancer can be detected by an untargeted metabolomic study using exhaled breath analysis by mass spectrometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed lung cancer based on cytological or histological analysis.
• Group A: any type of lung cancer eligible for surgical resection (up to TNM stage IIIa).
• Group B: any type of lung cancer (small-cell carcinoma, non-small-cell carcinoma) not amenable for surgical resection.
• Group C: matched controls.
• Age between 18 and 85 years at study entry

Exclusion Criteria:

• Another 'active' secondary malignant disease (e.g. breast cancer, colon carcinoma) in group A and B, presence of any active malignant disease in group C (based on personal information).
• Acute inflammatory disease (e.g. common cold) within the last 4 weeks.
• Any other acute lung disease which affects breath measurements
• Acute or chronic hepatic disease.
• Renal failure or renal replacement therapy.

Patients with lung cancer will be included according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Matched controls will be recruited from the general population by printed flyers, newspaper advertisements and personal communication.

upon reasonable request only