Molecular detection of clinical colorectal cancer metastasis: how should multiple markers be put to use?

AbstractBackground and aims  Up to 45% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients will develop local recurrence or metastasis following curative resection. The latter is due to cells shed from the primary carcinoma prior to or during surgery. The aim of this study was to contribute toward a rational-approach for detecting these disseminated tumor cells (DTC) using a combination of independent markers and detection methods.