title: Circulating tumor cells in germ cell tumors: are those biomarkers of real prognostic value? A review.
abstract: Analysis of circulating tumor cells from patients with different types of cancer is nowadays a fascinating new tool of research and their number is proven to be useful as a prognostic factor in metastatic breast, colon and prostate cancer patients. Studies are going beyond enumeration, exploring the circulating tumor cells to better understand the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis and their value for characterization, prognosis and tailoring of treatment. Few studies investigated the prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in germ cell tumors. In this review, we examine the possible significance of the detection of circulating tumor cells in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Ion Chiricuta Institute of Oncology, Cluj Napoca, Romania; Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Cristina Ligia
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cebotaru
authors.affiliation: Ion Chiricuta Institute of Oncology, Cluj Napoca, Romania; Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Elena Diana
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Olteanu
authors.affiliation: Ion Chiricuta Institute of Oncology, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Nicoleta Zenovia
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Antone
authors.affiliation: Ion Chiricuta Institute of Oncology, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Rares
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buiga
authors.affiliation: Ion Chiricuta Institute of Oncology, Cluj Napoca, Romania; Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Viorica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nagy
keywords: biomarkers; circulating tumor cells; germ cell tumors