circulating tumor cells
Also written as: CTC — circulating tumor cells
Cancer cells that have detached from the primary tumor and circulate in the bloodstream, potentially indicating metastatic potential.
Full Definition
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are malignant cells that have shed from primary tumors or metastatic sites and entered the peripheral circulation. These rare cells can be detected and enumerated using specialized techniques and may serve as biomarkers for prognosis, treatment monitoring, and minimal residual disease detection in breast cancer patients. CTC analysis provides real-time information about tumor biology and may help guide treatment decisions. However, their clinical utility remains investigational, with ongoing research examining their role in predicting treatment response and survival outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as CTCs in research and clinical contexts.
In Context
- "Serial monitoring of circulating tumor cells may help predict treatment response in metastatic patients." — Research protocol
- "The presence of circulating tumor cells correlated with worse overall survival in this cohort." — Clinical study results