Role of transurethral resection of the prostate in hematogenously disseminated metastasis

Dissemination of tumor cells by vascular channels seems to be enhanced by certain surgical procedures, e.g. transurethral resection of the prostate, an operative procedure commonly used in the diagnosis and management of prostatic cancer, the third biggest killer of men in the United States. Circulating tumor cells have been the subject of great controversy as they are considered to be the connecting link between the primary tumor and the hematogenously disseminated metastatic growths. Isolation and identification of tumor cells which get released into the vascular channels is somewhat complicated. We report our experience with a technique for isolating and identifying prostatic tumor cells in the circulation and briefly discuss the role of transurethral resection of the prostate in the management of prostatic cancer.