What is CTC?
CTC (Circulating Tumor Cells) refers to cancer cells circulating in the blood. When cancer begins to proliferate, cancer cells enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. These cancer cells in the blood are called “CTC (Circulating Tumor Cells).” Here, “cancer” refers to malignant tumors of epithelial origin, including colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and gastric cancer. Before cancer becomes clearly visible on imaging, cancer cells gradually mutate, with some entering the bloodstream early on. By detecting these cancer cells through the CancerSearch CTC test, early diagnosis becomes possible.
Please wait a little longer for the service to start.
Incidence and Mortality Rates of Cancer
Cancer Diagnosis Rates (Based on 2019 data)
Cancer Mortality (Based on 2022 data)
【Citation】National Cancer Center Japan – Latest Cancer Statistics
What is the Cancer Very Early Detection Test?
- Very early detection of cancer
- Genetic analysis of cancer (for the purpose of detecting resistance to anticancer drugs and malignancy)
- Cancer progression
- Monitoring of recurrence and metastasis
The above four points can be known.
Because it enables ultra-early detection of cancer and monitoring for recurrence, it can detect small circulating cancer cells in the blood at an ultra-early stage, which are typically difficult to find with standard tests.
Generally, cancer tumors divide into over a billion cells over about seven years, reaching a size of approximately 1 cm. At this point, they can first be recognized via imaging; however, ultra-early detection leads to securing treatment time. Additionally, we conduct tests to determine whether patients who previously had cancer and are in remission have experienced a recurrence. The CancerSearch CTC test is useful for indicating minor lesions.
| Laryngeal Cancer | Pharyngeal Cancer |
| Esophageal Cancer | Lung Cancer |
| Gastric Cancer | Colorectal Cancer |
| Cervical Cancer | Uterine Cancer |
| Ovarian Cancer | Prostate Cancer |
| Liver Cancer | Gallbladder Cancer |
| Pancreatic Cancer | Kidney Cancer |
| Breast Cancer | |
What the CancerSearch CTC test can tell us
Very early detection of cancer
It can detect minute circulating cancer cells in the blood, which are difficult to detect with conventional imaging. This allows cancer cells to be detected at a very small stage, enabling early treatment.
Genetic analysis of cancer
By examining the surface plateau markers of the collected CTCs the cell of which origin can be estimated.
Cancer progression assessment
By measuring the number of circulating cancer cells CTCs in the blood the extent to which the cancer has progressed can be assessed.
Inspection Flow
Appointment
Call to make an appointment for a consultation. We will refer you to the nearest clinic.
Medical Examination
(Can also be done remotely) There is no consultation fee. The doctor will explain the examination in detail.
Blood Sampling
A blood sample of 8 ML is drawn.
Sample Dispatch
Sample are sent to the laboratory. The Tokyo Hygienic Laboratory detects CTC cells and prepares a report.
Result Report
Results are returned by email in about two weeks. Subsequent consultation with a doctor is available if the patient requires it. (Additional charges apply).
※Pre-test consultations are free of charge.
There is a possibility of cancer recurrence or neoplasia. In consultation with your doctor, imaging tests including CT, MRI and PET scans are strongly recommended.
Detection of Circulating Cancer Cells in the blood
Price List
| CancerSearch CTC Test (Basic) | JPY 180,000 (excluding tax) JPY 198,000 (including tax) – Tests for the presence of cancer cells in the blood. |
| CancerSearch CTC Test (Individual Tumor) | JPY 240,000 (excluding tax) JPY 264,000 (including tax) – A test for individuals already diagnosed with cancer. |
| CancerSearch CTC Test (Advanced) | JPY 500,000 (excluding tax) JPY 550,000 (including tax) – Investigates the origin of detected circulating cancer cells in the blood. |
| Consultation Fee for Test Results | 30 minutes JPY 4,400 (including tax) |
| High-Dose Vitamin C Infusion 50g | 1 time JPY 25,000 (excluding tax) JPY 27,500 (including tax) – High-dose Vitamin C has an effect of suppressing cancer cells. |
Early Detection of Circulating Cancer Cells in the blood
Research indicates that cancer cells can be found in the blood of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These cancer cells may be detected 1 to 4 years before a clinical diagnosis of lung cancer is made. Therefore, the CancerSearch CTC test for circulating tumor cells (CTC) may be helpful for the early diagnosis of tumors.
Characteristics of each testing method. CancerSearch CTC is excellent for early cancer detection.
| Diagnostic Method | Monitoring Items | Features |
|---|---|---|
| CancerSearch CTC Test | CTC | Allows real-time observation of tumor progression, providing timely feedback on treatment effectiveness within 1-3 weeks and warning of risks for metastasis and recurrence 2-6 months in advance. |
| Imaging Diagnosis | Ultrasound, X-ray, CT, PET-CT, etc. | Tumors are detected only after reaching a certain volume; however, this method is delayed and cannot serve as a real-time monitoring tool due to factors like radiation. |
| Blood Test | Tumor Markers | Indirectly reflects tumor status but does not provide direct information on tumor progression, lacking specificity. |
| Pathological Examination | Tissue biopsy samples Immunohistochemistry, etc. | Requires obtaining tumor tissue through a biopsy or surgery, making sampling difficult and unsuitable for real-time monitoring. |
Microfluidic Instrumentation Method
Cell Reveal is a device designed to effectively isolate and detect cancer cells in the blood by detecting CTCs (Circulating Tumor Cells). First, the blood sample collected from the patient is introduced into a device with fine channels, utilizing the characteristics of cancer cells (such as surface markers) to separate them from other blood components. This method enables high sensitivity and specific detection of cancer cells, making it useful for early diagnosis and monitoring. In collaboration with CytoAurora, we are conducting the CancerSearch CTC test in Japan.
