[Detection and clinic implication of circulating tumor cell in patients with lung cancer]

Micrometastasis may occur in the early stage of lung cancer and dissemination of lung cancer cells into blood circulation is pivotal for metastasis. Many approaches, such as polymerase chain reaction, magnetic activated cell sorting, flow cytometery, and rare event imaging system, have been developed rapidly. The detection of circulating tumor cells may renew the clinical stage and treatment of lung cancer.