Rare cancer that's indistinguishable from normal cancer...find one's way through a sequencing test

[Anchor]
Have you heard of NTRK fusion cancer caused by genetic mutations?

Although it is unfamiliar, it is a disease that makes tumors everywhere in the body, and it is difficult to distinguish it from general cancer, so there are many cases where treatment is missed.

Reporter Kim Joo-young reports.

[Reporter]
Kang, who was treated for cancer in his legs in the past, was recently diagnosed as having spread cancer to his lungs.

He devoted himself to treatment with the will to live, but his condition showed no signs of improvement at all, and he came to the worst.

[Kang Mo / NTRK genetic mutation cancer patient: I don't know because I'm unconscious, but my parents look for things like Bongandang, and where to do it....]

However, in additional tests conducted with the last hope, I found that it was not just lung cancer.

It was diagnosed as NTRK gene mutation cancer, which is classified as a rare cancer.

NTRK mutated cancer is caused by the fusion of a gene called NTRK with other genes, and is more common among rare cancers.

It can make cancer all over the body, such as the thyroid gland, colon, and breast, so it is often difficult to distinguish it from normal cancer that occurs in the same area.

However, the treatment method is completely different, and it does not heal well with the existing cancer treatment method.

[Kim Hyo-song / Professor of Oncology at Severance Hospital: The response of traditional chemotherapy is very bad because it is a tumor derived from an unusual gene. It is also difficult to identify with traditional pathology methods or things like that.

To understand this, next-generation sequencing, so-called 'NGS test', which looks closely at genes, is essential.

The cost of nearly 1 million won is not high, but NTRK mutation cancer can be clearly found.

[Kim Sang-gyeom / Professor of Severance Pathology: If the amount of tumor cells or various experimental conditions are satisfied, almost 100% can be confirmed.]

Fortunately, the treatment effect is also good, so if you find it, you can even cure it.

[Mr. Kang / NTRK Genetic Cancer Patient: (Now) I'm living without any problems in my daily life, and I'm just going around without any problems in my work life.]

Experts emphasized that for rare cancers, rapid and accurate testing and diagnosis are important as the appropriate treatment time can pass faster.

I'm Kim Joo-young of YTN.