Early detection is critical when it comes to cancer, and advances in screening technology are the key to making it possible. One method drawing attention recently is a new screening technique called DWIBS (Diffusion-Weighted Whole-Body Imaging with Background Body Signal Suppression). THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO, a members-only VIP comprehensive health checkup clinic affiliated with BiOSTYLE Clinic Ginza, has introduced DWIBS. What advantages does this screening method offer compared with other checkups? This article explains DWIBS in detail — what it is, its features, and how it compares with conventional cancer screening.
What Is DWIBS?
DWIBS (Diffusion-Weighted Whole-Body Imaging with Background Body Signal Suppression) is a type of whole-body screening that uses MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This technology makes use of the distinctive diffusion characteristics of cancer cells to detect cancer with high sensitivity. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body, and is considered highly safe because it does not use radiation.
The Features of DWIBS
1. High Sensitivity and High Precision
DWIBS is based on the fact that cancer cells have different diffusion characteristics from other, normal cells. Specifically, because the movement of water molecules is more restricted in cancer cells than in ordinary cells, they produce a distinctive signal pattern on MRI. This characteristic makes it possible to detect cancer cells with high sensitivity, and it is particularly effective at finding small or early-stage cancers. This enables early cancer detection, which can improve treatment success rates.
2. Non-Invasive
Because DWIBS does not use radiation, there is no exposure risk. In addition, the examination itself is non-invasive, with minimal pain or discomfort. Some conventional screening methods involve invasive procedures such as inserting a needle or a camera into the body, but DWIBS avoids this kind of discomfort entirely — a major advantage.
3. Whole-Body Screening in a Single Session
Because a single examination can scan the entire body, it is possible to detect cancer across multiple sites at once. This makes it especially useful when metastasis is suspected, or when checking for the presence of multiple cancers. Because it can check for cancer that may have spread to other organs all at once, it also serves as a comprehensive health assessment.
How It Differs From Conventional Cancer Screening
Compared With CT Scans and PET-CT
CT scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to produce internal images, which carries a risk of radiation exposure. It can also sometimes be difficult to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. CT scans are excellent for finding bone abnormalities or large tumors, but have limits when it comes to detecting small cancers.
PET-CT: PET-CT detects cancer by injecting a radioactive substance into the body, which likewise carries a risk of exposure. In addition, it is expensive, and the examination takes a long time. PET-CT is excellent for assessing cancer activity, but a whole-body scan requires significant time and cost.
Compared with these methods, DWIBS is non-invasive, and its biggest advantage is having no exposure risk to worry about. It also has a relatively short examination time, allowing results to be obtained quickly.
Compared With Mammography and Ultrasound
Mammography: Especially effective for early detection of breast cancer, but because it uses X-rays, it carries a risk of exposure. It can also be less effective for people with dense breast tissue. Mammography is specialized for breast cancer screening and cannot be applied to cancers in other parts of the body.
Ultrasound: Non-invasive and safe, but depending on the location and size of a cancer, it can potentially be missed. It has particular limitations in detecting cancer in areas with a lot of fat, or cancer hidden behind bone.
Compared with these methods, DWIBS can scan the entire body in a single session, making it well suited to checking for cancer throughout the body rather than in just one area. Because it is not limited to a specific site, it allows a comprehensive assessment of overall health.
The Benefits of DWIBS
1. Better Early Detection
Its high sensitivity increases the likelihood of detecting cancer at an early stage. Early detection is a critical factor that greatly improves the success rate of treatment. When cancer is found while it is still small, treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy can be more effective, improving patient survival rates.
2. Peace of Mind
Because there is no radiation exposure, you can undergo repeated screenings with peace of mind. This makes regular screening possible, especially for people at higher risk. For example, for those with a higher cancer risk due to family history or genetic factors, being able to undergo regular screening without added burden is a major advantage.
3. A Comfortable Examination
Because it is non-invasive, the examination itself causes no discomfort. The examination time is also relatively short, placing little burden on the patient. Typically, the examination is completed in about 30 to 60 minutes, after which you can return to your daily life right away.
4. Covers a Wide Range of Cancers
Because a single examination can scan the entire body, multiple cancers can be detected at the same time. This means a comprehensive health check can be performed in a single examination. It is especially useful when there is a risk of cancer occurring in multiple sites, or when you want to assess your overall health all at once.
The Flow of a DWIBS Examination
A DWIBS examination is completed in about 30 minutes to an hour. Below is an explanation of the examination flow and how long it takes to receive results.
1. Before the Examination
Dietary or activity restrictions: There are no special restrictions the day before or the day of the examination. However, depending on the facility, you may be instructed to restrict food intake on the day of the exam if an oral contrast agent is used.
2. On the Day of the Examination
- Check-in: Arrive at reception by your scheduled appointment time.
- Fill out a questionnaire: Provide details of your health status and medical history.
- Move to the waiting room: Once you’ve finished the questionnaire, wait in the waiting room.
- Change clothes: Change into an examination gown in the changing room.
- DWIBS examination: The examination takes place in the MRI room. A dedicated coil is placed over your body or in front of your face for imaging. The examination takes about 30 minutes to an hour and is painless.
- Change back: Once the examination is complete, change back in the changing room.
3. Explanation of Results
How results are delivered varies by facility, but they are typically mailed to you within about 2 to 3 weeks.
Precautions for DWIBS
Because DWIBS uses MRI equipment, the same precautions apply as for a general MRI examination.
People Who May Not Be Able to Undergo DWIBS
If any of the following apply to you, please check with the medical facility in advance to confirm whether you can undergo the examination.
- Pregnant
- Have metal implants in the body, such as a pacemaker, artificial joint, cochlear implant, or cerebral aneurysm clip
- Use magnetic dentures (these may become unusable)
- Have a tattoo or semi-permanent makeup (may discolor or heat up)
- Have claustrophobia
- Have difficulty remaining still during the examination
Prohibited Items
The following items cannot be brought into the DWIBS examination room, so please remove them all before the examination.
- Watches
- Earrings, necklaces
- Dentures
- Mobile phones
- Colored contact lenses
- Adhesive patches or heat packs containing metal
Accommodations for Claustrophobia
For those with claustrophobia, accommodations such as an eye mask, a lower pillow, or playing music are used to make the examination easier to undergo. If you have claustrophobia, it’s a good idea to check with the medical facility in advance about what accommodations are available.
The Benefits of Undergoing DWIBS at THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO
THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO, a members-only VIP comprehensive health checkup clinic affiliated with BiOSTYLE Clinic Ginza, offers a whole-body checkup combining a range of examinations, including DWIBS and MRA (an MRI-based cerebrovascular examination) with a high-performance MRI system, and multi-slice CT. Undergoing DWIBS at this facility offers many benefits not available elsewhere.
A Luxurious Setting
THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO is located on the 4th floor of The Peninsula Tokyo, a celebrated five-star hotel in Hibiya, Tokyo, allowing you to undergo your comprehensive checkup in a luxurious atmosphere. Because all examination rooms are located on the same floor, there is no long wait and no need to move between floors. This allows the examination to proceed smoothly and comfortably.
A Comfortable, Precise Environment With Limited Patients per Day
THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO limits the number of patients accepted per day to just 6. This small-group approach not only allows attentive service for each patient, but also lets the physician carefully examine each individual’s data. At larger hospitals, a single physician may need to analyze data for hundreds of patients at once, but at THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO, a small caseload allows for careful, accurate diagnosis.
Advanced Medical Technology and the Latest Equipment
DWIBS is a cutting-edge MRI technology capable of highly sensitive, highly precise cancer detection. THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO, which offers this technology, performs examinations using state-of-the-art equipment made by GE. This makes early cancer detection possible and broadens the range of treatment options available.
Comprehensive Health Management
THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO offers not only comprehensive health checkups, but also health consultations and second opinions. Referrals to affiliated university hospitals are also available as needed. This allows you to receive consistent medical care based on your examination results.
Coordination With Affiliated Clinics
At the affiliated BiOSTYLE Clinic Ginza, and at 9ru, a members-only clinic on the same floor of The Peninsula Tokyo, based on the results from THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO you can receive not only preventive and early treatments for cancer, such as microwave thermal therapy and NK cell therapy, but also rejuvenation-focused maintenance care. Health consultations, second opinions, and referrals to affiliated university hospitals are also available (by appointment only). This lets you receive health maintenance and aesthetic care together in one place, supporting an overall improvement in lifestyle.
[Microwave Thermal Therapy]
It has long been known that cancer cells are more vulnerable to heat than normal cells. If treatment at a higher temperature could be delivered safely in a very short time, even greater results could be expected. Microwave technology addresses this, and microwave cancer therapy was developed as a cutting-edge medical treatment based on it. Without any incision, microwaves emitted from a single treatment device positioned 20cm from the body converge at the site of the tumor inside the body, heating it efficiently. It offers power comparable to radiation therapy, while causing almost no temperature rise in normal tissue — making it an ideal treatment device with virtually no side effects.
[NK Cell Therapy]
Senescent cells, the underlying cause of aging, are normally cleared by the body’s own immune cells; but when immune cells are insufficient, these cells persist as “zombie cells,” releasing aging factors (SASPs) and inflammatory factors that harm the whole body. NK cell therapy is an autoimmune treatment aimed at rapidly identifying virus-infected or cancerous cells and clearing senescent and precancerous cells. NK cells (natural killer cells) are significantly expanded and activated outside the body before being returned to it, offering the potential for a strong treatment effect. Patients at various stages, including those with recurrent or metastatic cancer, undergo this treatment. Because the NK cells themselves are cultured from the patient’s own blood, the treatment is gentle on the body and safe. NK cell therapy is well known for helping build a body that is more resistant to illness. In terms of aesthetic benefits, this therapy is expected to improve blood flow, activate the function of skin cells, and improve metabolism and normalize skin turnover. Because of this, it is also said to help improve skin quality, enhance skin beauty, and support aging care.
By-Appointment-Only for Privacy
THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO operates on a strictly by-appointment basis, protecting each patient’s privacy at every step. Because the examination is conducted in a relaxed setting, it also reduces mental stress.
A Highly Specialized Staff
THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO is staffed by physicians, technologists, and other professionals with deep expertise. Staff well versed in the latest medical technology provide consistent support from examination through diagnosis and treatment. This allows you to undergo the examination with peace of mind.
THE PREVENTION CLINIC TOKYO
4F, The Peninsula Tokyo, 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 0120-090-263
Summary
DWIBS (diffusion-weighted whole-body MRI) is drawing attention as a new option for cancer screening. Its high sensitivity and precision, non-invasiveness, and ability to scan the whole body are major advantages not found in conventional screening methods. With no radiation exposure risk and the ability to enable early detection, this technology is expected to become increasingly widespread and to help save many lives going forward. Because it compensates for the drawbacks of PET-CT, the leading conventional whole-body cancer screening method, while placing less burden on patients, an increasing number of medical facilities overseas are adopting it as well. Take the first step toward protecting your health by making use of the latest cancer screening technology.
