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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 21, 2014; 20(35): 12458-12461
Published online Sep 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i35.12458
Clinical impact of minimal cancer cell detection in various colorectal cancer specimens
Kazuhiko Yoshimatsu, Hajime Yokomizo, Yoshihiko Naritaka
Kazuhiko Yoshimatsu, Hajime Yokomizo, Yoshihiko Naritaka, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Medical Center East, Tokyo 116-8567, Japan
Author contributions: Yoshimatsu K contributed to this work and wrote the paper; Yokomizo H and Naritaka Y supported this work.
Correspondence to: Kazuhiko Yoshimatsu MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Medical Center East, 2-1-10 Nishiogu Arakawaku, Tokyo 116-8567, Japan. kyoshsu@dnh.twmu.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-3-38101111 Fax: +81-3-38945493
Received: November 13, 2013
Revised: May 9, 2014
Accepted: June 2, 2014
Published online: September 21, 2014
Processing time: 310 Days and 2.3 Hours
Abstract

Detection of cancer cells using molecular targets is achieved by combining immunochemical reactions with gene amplification techniques. This enables the detection of cancer cells in specimens that are traditionally determined to be cancer-free. These improvements in detection can lead to prognoses that are different from those derived by conventional pathological staging. Survival is worse when cancer cells are detected in regional lymph nodes compared to when the nodes are cancer-free. Furthermore, the circulating tumor cell (CTC) count increases as the cancer progresses. Consequently, there is a correlation between CTC count and prognosis. However, large-scale prospective studies are required to confirm this. The development of more convenient and cost-effective analysis techniques will facilitate the practical application of these findings.

Keywords: Micrometastasis; Circulating tumor cell; Colorectal cancer; Prognosis; Molecular marker

Core tip: In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), a more favorable prognosis can be achieved by curative resection. The depth of tumor invasion (T-category) and the extent of lymph node metastasis (N-category) are important prognostic factors for disease staging. With regard to metastatic CRC, an attempt should be made to determine whether it can be used as a monitoring marker for determining the response to chemotherapy.