circulating tumor cell count

Indications: - done prior to the initiation of therapy and serially during treatment of carcinoma Principle: - circulating tumor cell count identifies & quantifies EpCAM produced by epithelial tumor cells (carcinomas) Clinical significance: - may aid in determining prognosis & in assessing treatment efficacy. - independent predictor of progression-free survival & overall survival - cutoffs vary by tumor cell type Specimen: whole blood

References

ARUP Consult: Circulating Tumor Cell Count https://arupconsult.com/ati/circulating-tumor-cell-count