TOKYO: Toshiba Corp. has developed a device that can detect 13 types of cancer with a single drop of blood, in collaboration with Tokyo Medical University and others.

The device was able to differentiate between cancer patients and healthy people with an accuracy of as much as 99 percent during the development stage, the Japanese company said.

Toshiba said the device measures micro-ribonucleic acid levels that differ depending on type of cancer. It was able to detect even stage-zero cancer, the company said.

The company said it plans to start a demonstration test using the device next year, aiming to put it into practical use within a few years.

The device, which is small enough to be portable, can produce results in as short as less than two hours, Toshiba said. A blood test using it is expected to cost 20,000 yen or less, it said.

It is possible that the device will be used in health checkups, an official at Toshiba's research and development center said.

JIJI Press