Molecular tools in the detection of micrometastatic cancer cells--technical aspects and clinical relevance

The frequent failure to reduce the mortality due to epithelial cancers by common medical intervention results primarily from early dissemination of cancer cells, which is missed by conventional diagnostic procedures used for tumor staging. Individual carcinoma cells present in regional lymph nodes, blood or distant organs (e.g., bone marrow) can be detected by sensitive immunologic or molecular methods. Here, we review recently developed molecular assays for the detection of individual micrometastatic cancer cells and their clinical application in patients with epithelial tumors.