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Review
. 2016 Jul 21;2(2):109-116.
doi: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2016.05.003. eCollection 2016 Jun.

Circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancer: A review

Kyle P McMullen  1 , Jeffrey J Chalmers  2 , Jas C Lang  1 , Pawan Kumar  1 , Kris R Jatana  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Circulating tumor cells in head and neck cancer: A review

Kyle P McMullen et al. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. .

Abstract

Carcinoma of the head and neck represents 3.5% of all cancers, and the vast majority of these tumors are squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). With a stable overall survival rate of 50% among all stages, there is continued interested in developing measures for early detection and disease aggressiveness. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been identified as a potential marker for early metastatic disease, response to treatment, and surveillance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this article, techniques of CTC detection, applications of CTC technology, and outcomes of HNSCC patients will be discussed.

Keywords: Circulating tumor cell; Head and neck cancer; Metastasis; Squamous cell.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Multi-marker staining of circulating tumor cells in SCCHN. A CTC (DIC) with corresponding immunocytochemical marker analysis. As defined, the cells are DAPI+ (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and CD 45−. Both are positive for cytokeratin (CK); however, the first is also positive for mesenchymal marker, vimentin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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