Micrometastasis

Description

Distant metastases are the main cause of cancer-related death. The onset of the metastatic process can now be assessed in cancer patients by the use of immunocytochemical and molecular methods that allow the identification of disseminated carcinoma cells in regional lymph nodes, peripheral blood or distant organs. There is increasing evidence that the detection and characterization of tumor cells present in bone marrow or peripheral blood can provide clinically important information. In this book, leading experts in the area of micrometastasis research provide an overview that summarizes the current state of research on micrometastatic disease in patients with solid tumors. In each chapter, the technical aspect as well as clinical relevance of micrometastasis detection is discussed. The book addresses basic researchers as well as clinicians involved in the treatment of cancer patients. Technical Aspects of the Detection of Disseminated Tumour Cells by Molecular Methods....Pages 1-18 RNA/DNA Based Detection of Minimal Residual Head and Neck Cancer....Pages 19-45 Detection and Characterisation of Occult Metastatic Cells in Bone Marrow of Breast Cancer Patients: Implications for Adjuvant Therapy....Pages 47-56 Prognosis of Minimal Residual Disease in Bone Marrow, Blood and Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer....Pages 67-85 Detection, Isolation and Study of Disseminated Prostate Cancer Cells in the Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow....Pages 87-116 Early Disseminated Tumour Cells in Operable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer....Pages 117-125 Prognostic Value of Minimal Residual Disease in Esophageal Cancer....Pages 127-138 Clinical Relevance of Tumor Cell Dissemination in Colorectal, Gastric and Pancreatic Carcinoma....Pages 139-172 Minimal Residual Disease in Melanoma....Pages 173-183