title: Significance of micrometastases: circulating tumor cells and disseminated tumor cells in early breast cancer.
abstract: Adjuvant systemic therapy targets minimal residual disease. Our current clinical approach in the adjuvant setting is to presume, rather than confirm, the presence of minimal residual disease. Based on assessment of the primary tumor, we estimate an individual's recurrence risk. Subsequent treatment decisions are based on characteristics of the primary tumor, with the presumption of consistent biology and treatment sensitivity between micrometastases and the primary lesion. An alternative approach is to identify micrometastatic disease. Detection of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in the bone marrow and circulating tumor cells (CTC) from peripheral blood collection may offer quantification and biocharacterization of residual disease. This paper will review the prognostic and predictive potential of micrometastatic disease in early breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Sandro Pitigliani' Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, Hospital of Prato, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Piazza Ospedale 2, 59100, Prato, Italy. adileo@usl4.toscana.it.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oakman
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pestrin
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bessi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galardi
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Leo