The detection and clinical significance of circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with colorectai cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer.Despite the survival rate of patients with metastatic disease has been raised due to the combination therapy of chemotherapy and opetation,few longterm survivors exist.The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) is an evolving technology whose significance has been discussed for more than a century.The advence of modem technology has allowed for more reliable detection of CTCs,and recent studies have provided compelling evidence that CTCs can predict clinical outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).In this review,we will discuss the evidence for CTC significance,with particular focus on detection methods,novel markers,and clinical outcomes in CRC,and future challenges in testing them as a means to individualize the therapy of mCRC patients. Key words: Circulating tumor cells;  Colorectal Neoplasms;  Neoplasm metastasis