Have you noticed that many cancer cases occur in individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstain from smoking, and don’t abuse alcohol? Some people, despite their previous year’s medical examination reports showing no abnormalities but are suddenly diagnosed with malignant tumors?According to the latest data from the Health Authority, in 2020, there were as many as 34,179 new cancer cases in Hong Kong, with an average of 94 people diagnosed with cancer daily. As the leading cause of death, cancer claimed the lives of 14,805 individuals in 2020, accounting for 29.2% of total deaths in Hong Kong. More than half of those patients were already in the intermediate to advanced stages at the time of diagnosis.Currently, the market offers various health check packages, including tests for various cancer markers. As part of liquid biopsy, ctDNA test and circulating tumor cell test (CTC test) are two common liquid biopsy early cancer detection methods. So, what are they exactly? And what sets them apart?What is circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test?Tumors are composed of cells, and the core of these cells contains DNA. During the life cycle of cancer cells, fragments of their DNA enter the bloodstream, known as circulating tumor DNA or ctDNA. These DNA fragments, originating from tumor cells, serve as one of the biomarkers for early cancer detection. However, when any cell in the body undergoes apoptosis can release DNA fragments into the bloodstream. Hence, accurately identifying specific and sufficient tumor DNA fragments among vast genetic information is a major challenge in this technology.The presence of circulating free DNA in the bloodstream has significant potential value in early disease diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and monitoring. Its specific medical applications mainly include: 1. Prenatal diagnosis, 2. Analysis of non-tumor diseases such as autoimmune diseases and observation of treatment effectiveness, 3. Tumor-related analysis.What is circulating tumor cells (CTC) test?Circulating tumor cell test is another method utilizing liquid biopsy to comprehend cancer. Unlike examining DNA fragments in the blood, this method captures entire tumor cells. Cancer metastasis is closely related to circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood. In the early stages of tumor development, some tumor cells shed into the bloodstream, known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Additionally, due to various body conditions, tumor cells can arise due to inflammation or mutations. Usually, these tumor cells naturally undergo apoptosis within 72 hours or get cleared by the immune system. However, these CTCs, if surviving in the bloodstream, have the potential to migrate to other organs, forming and developing new tumors.The steps of CTCs migration includes: 1. Tumor cells detach from the primary tumor tissue, then infiltrate the bloodstream. 2. Onceit enters into the blood, these tumor cells will circulate like blood cells to various parts of the body. 3. Upon reaching a suitable growth environment, they can begin to proliferate, forming new tumors. Detecting CTCs in the blood allows estimating the potential risk of tumor development based on the variation in CTC numbers.When are CTC and ctDNA testing applicable?Generally, ctDNA is present at very low levels in healthy individuals but significantly increases in tumor patients and can be detected. On the other hand, CTCs are already present in healthy individuals, and the quantity, whether high or low, is crucial in determining cancer risk. Thus, ctDNA testing is more suitable for targeted testing in individuals with symptoms, whereas CTC testing is a tool for comprehensive cancer risk assessment, better suited for asymptomatic individuals seeking regular monitoring to understand their cancer risk early, enabling early detection, improvement, and treatment, thereby increasing the chances of recovery.Early Cancer Detection — CanTell CTC TestingCanTell CTC testing, developed by a research team at the City University of Hong Kong, is an advanced tumor liquid biopsy technology characterized by high sensitivity and specificity. It’s comprehensive, safe, precise, and particularly suitable for regular monitoring. CanTell CTC testing, applied in early cancer detection, can detect cellular changes early, help alert about cancer risk in advance, and take appropriate measures to prevent cancer development. CanTell CTC testing covers 35 types of cancer, including common ones like lung, colon, breast, prostate, liver cancers, and also covers hard-to-detect cancers like pancreatic cancer.Details: CanTell CTC testing service.Differences between CanTell CTC testing and ctDNA testing: In the fast-paced modern society, have to pay extra attention to our health, especially for fatal diseases like cancer. Through cutting-edge early cancer detection, we could detect the potential risk of cancer early and take appropriate measures to safeguard our future well-being. The CanTell CTC test technology has provided a more efficient and precise solution for early cancer detection. Let us prioritize our health, stay far away from the threat of cancer, and embrace a life that is abundant and extraordinary.