| Theme |
Up-to-date Therapuetic Strategy for Advanced Colorectal Cancer |
| Title |
Molecular Detection of Micrometastatic Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer -- Its Clinical Significance |
| Author |
Tsuyoshi Etoh |
Department of Surgery, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University |
| Author |
Masaki Mori |
Department of Surgery, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University |
| [ Summary ] |
About one fourth of all patients with resectable colorectal cancer will develop a recurrent disease after the operation. These events may be the result of the presence of micrometastases at the time of the operation, indicating the need for improved control of micrometastases.
Molecular techniques such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR), have made it possible to detect a very small number of cancer cells in various kinds of samples, including lymph nodes, peripheral blood, ascites, feces, or bone marrow. We have used carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA) and / or K-ras gene mutations as tumor specific markers to detect cancer cells by genetic analysis. These methods are reported to be more sensitive than standard his topathology. These techniques may serve as useful tools to predict recurrence or develop prognoses for patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, they may contribute to decisions on optimal lymph node dissection or minimal invasive operations, using laparoscopic surgery, and the choice of intensive postoper ative adjuvant chemotherapy |