[Potentials and Limitations of the Detection of Circulating Melanoma Cells]

The detection and characterisation of circulating melanoma cells (CMC) is a non-invasive procedure with a low complication rate and can potentially distinguish choroidal nevi from uveal melanomas and help to initiate early adequate therapy. It has the perspective to select and monitor treatment. This technique may lead to new insights into the metastasis process itself and help to detect specific targets for future therapies. This article introduces the different techniques for CMC detection; their potentials and limitations are discussed.