Circulating tumour cells in regionally metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A pilot study.
Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are increasingly being used in the surveillance of cancer, allowing for potential early detection and real-time monitoring of disease progression. The presence of CTCs in patients with metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (cHNSCC) has not been evaluated.



CTCs were detected in eight of ten patients with regional metastatic cHNSCC (80%; range 1-44 cells/9 mL blood). CTMs were detected in three of ten patients (30%, range 1-4 cells/9 mL blood).



Preoperative blood samples from ten patients with nodal metastases from cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) were analyzed using the IsoFluxTM System for the detection and enumeration of CTCs and circulating tumour microemboli (CTMs).



For the first time CTCs have been detected in patients with nodal metastases from cHNSCC. Further work is required to understand their prognostic significance and potential to directly influence clinical practice.
Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Tia
T
Morosin
School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.|Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.|Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD), Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.|Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.
Bruce
B
Ashford
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.|Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.|School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Marie
M
Ranson
Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.|The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Ruta
R
Gupta
Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.|Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.|South West Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW  2052, Australia.|Singhealth/Duke-NUS Head and Neck Center, National Cancer Center Singapore (NCCS), 169610, Singapore.
Jonathan
J
Clark
Medical Oncology Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.
N Gopalakrishna
NG
Iyer
Centre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.|South West Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW  2052, Australia.|Liverpool Clinical School, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, NSW  1871, Australia.
Kevin
K
Spring
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology
circulating tumour cells (CTCs); cutaneous; head and neck; metastases; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)