NTRK3 Test: Booking, Price, and Results

About NTRK3 Test: Booking, Price, and Results

Field	Value
Also Known As	NTRK3 Gene Fusion Test, TRKC Fusion Test, Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase 3 Test, ETV6-NTRK3 Fusion Test
Sample Type	FFPE tissue block (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissue)
Fasting Required	No
Report Time	8 days
Recommended For	Adults and children with advanced or metastatic solid tumours; patients suspected of infantile fibrosarcoma, secretory carcinoma, or tumours without identified driver mutations
Price	Starting at ₹8,400

What Is an NTRK3 Test?

The NTRK3 test detects abnormal gene fusions involving the NTRK3 gene (also called the Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase 3 gene) in tumour tissue. When this gene fuses with a partner gene, it produces an abnormal protein that drives uncontrolled cell growth. The test is performed using a tissue sample, typically an FFPE block from a biopsy or surgical specimen. It is also known as the NTRK3 gene fusion test or TRKC fusion test and is ordered by oncologists to guide targeted treatment decisions.

What Does an NTRK3 Test Measure?

The NTRK3 test procedure analyses tumour tissue at a molecular level using the FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation) method. The test looks for specific genetic changes listed below.

Component	What It Detects
NTRK3 gene fusion	Whether the NTRK3 gene has fused with another gene to form an abnormal cancer-driving protein
Chromosomal rearrangement	Whether a chromosome segment carrying NTRK3 has broken off and reattached to a different chromosome

Why Is an NTRK3 Test Done?

This test is requested when a doctor needs to identify whether a tumour carries an NTRK3 gene fusion, which can affect treatment choices. The indications vary by tumour type and clinical context.

Common Symptoms That May Require This Test

There are no symptoms specific to NTRK3 fusions. Symptoms depend entirely on the tumour location. The following cancer signs may prompt a doctor to recommend molecular testing, including the NTRK3 test:

A persistent lump or swelling in soft tissue
Unexplained cough or breathlessness (if the tumour is in the lung)
Neurological symptoms such as headaches or vision changes (if brain involvement is suspected)
A tumour diagnosis with no other identified driver mutation
Poor response to standard cancer treatments
A diagnosis of a rare tumour type known to carry NTRK fusions (e.g., in infants or young children)

Conditions This Test Can Help Detect

The NTRK3 gene fusion test can help identify fusions in a range of solid tumours. The following conditions are commonly associated with NTRK3 alterations:

Infantile fibrosarcoma (a rare soft tissue tumour in infants, where NTRK3 fusions are a defining feature)
Secretory carcinoma of the breast or salivary gland
Papillary thyroid carcinoma
Glioma (a type of brain tumour)
Colorectal cancer, particularly in tumours with microsatellite instability
Other solid tumours of the head, neck, lung, and colon

How to Prepare and What to Expect

Preparation for the NTRK3 test procedure involves ensuring that adequate tumour tissue is available and that the sample is of sufficient quality for molecular analysis.

Do You Need to Fast?

No fasting is required. This test is performed on a tumour tissue sample, not a blood or urine sample.

Practical Tips Before Your Test

The following steps will help ensure the test can be performed successfully:

Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and relevant medical records, as this is required for the test.
Inform your oncologist about any prior molecular testing already performed on the tumour.
Discuss with your doctor whether the existing biopsy block is sufficient or whether a new tissue sample is needed.
Confirm that an adequate amount of tumour tissue is available; small biopsies may have limited material.

Step-by-Step Procedure

The following steps describe how the tissue sample is collected and processed for the NTRK3 test:

Your oncologist identifies a stored tumour tissue sample from a previous biopsy, surgical procedure, or cytopathology specimen.
The tissue is prepared as an FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) block, which preserves it for molecular analysis. A paraffin block or unstained slides cut at 5 microns or more are submitted to the laboratory.
The sample is transported to the laboratory at ambient temperature (18 to 28 degrees Celsius) and assessed for tumour cell content and tissue quality before testing begins.
Laboratory scientists analyse the sample using a method such as FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation), which uses fluorescent probes to locate and visualise gene arrangements on the chromosome.
A molecular pathologist reviews the findings and prepares a detailed report.
The report is sent to your oncologist, who will discuss the results with you and explain the next steps.

Factors That Can Affect Accuracy

The following factors may influence the reliability of the NTRK3 test result:

Age of the tissue sample (older samples have increased DNA and RNA degradation)
Low tumour cell content in the biopsy specimen
Poor quality of tissue fixation during original sample preparation
The testing method used (RNA-based next-generation sequencing offers the highest sensitivity)
Limited tissue volume from small biopsies

Understanding Your NTRK3 Test Results

Results from the NTRK3 test should always be reviewed with a qualified oncologist who can place the findings in the context of your tumour type, clinical history, and overall treatment plan.

Parameter	Result	Interpretation
NTRK3 Fusion	No fusion detected	No targetable NTRK3 genetic alteration is present in the tumour
NTRK3 Fusion	Fusion detected (e.g., ETV6-NTRK3)	An abnormal gene fusion is present; the tumour may respond to targeted TRK inhibitor therapy

These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.

Results During Special Conditions

In tumours derived from tissues that naturally express TRK proteins, such as gliomas, neuroblastomas, and certain sarcoma subtypes, IHC (immunohistochemistry) screening can be more challenging to interpret and may produce less specific results. In such cases, confirmatory testing using NGS (next-generation sequencing) or FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation) is typically recommended before making clinical treatment decisions.

How to Maintain Healthy Levels

NTRK3 fusions are changes within tumour cells and are not caused by lifestyle factors. The following general points are relevant for patients undergoing cancer molecular testing:

Early and thorough molecular profiling of solid tumours helps identify actionable genetic changes and widens treatment options.
Attend all follow-up appointments so your oncologist can monitor treatment response.
Keep copies of all previous pathology and molecular test reports for reference during consultations.

Lupin Diagnostics NTRK3 Test Price

The NTRK3 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹8,400. Home collection is not available for this test, as it uses a specialist tumour tissue sample (FFPE block).

City	Approximate Price (₹)
BHOPAL	8400
CHENNAI	8400
HYDERABAD	8400
KOLKATA	8400
NAVI MUMBAI	8400
PUNE	8400

Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.

How to Book

The following steps outline how to arrange your NTRK3 test online booking with Lupin Diagnostics.

Select the NTRK3 test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
Choose your city and preferred centre location.
Visit the centre at your scheduled time, or arrange for your tissue block to be submitted through your treating hospital or oncologist.
Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.

Frequently Asked Questions

An NTRK3 gene fusion occurs when the NTRK3 gene on one chromosome breaks off and attaches to a different gene on another chromosome. This produces an abnormal protein that can drive uncontrolled cell growth. It is a somatic change, meaning it occurs within tumour cells and is not inherited.

Testing is recommended for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours, particularly those whose cancer has not responded to standard treatments or those with tumour types where NTRK3 fusions are known to be frequent. Patients with suspected infantile fibrosarcoma or secretory carcinoma are especially likely to be referred for this test. Your oncologist will advise whether the NTRK3 test is appropriate for you.

The test uses a tumour tissue sample, typically an FFPE block from a previous biopsy or surgery. A blood sample (liquid biopsy) may be used in some settings, though it is less sensitive. No new surgical procedure is usually needed if suitable tissue is already in storage.

At Lupin Diagnostics, the report turnaround time is 8 days. The total time can vary depending on the testing method and the quality of the tissue sample submitted.

A positive result means the tumour carries an abnormal NTRK3 gene fusion that may make it eligible for targeted treatment with TRK inhibitors. Your oncologist will discuss treatment options with you based on the full clinical picture. This test result alone does not determine a treatment plan.

No. NTRK3 fusions are genetic alterations that develop only within tumour cells during a person’s lifetime. They are not inherited from parents, are not passed to children, and generally do not indicate an increased hereditary cancer risk for family members.