Circulating Tumor Cells and the Non-Touch Isolation Technique in Surgery for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are dislodged from the primary tumor into the bloodstream, travel within the bloodstream to distant organs, and finally extravasate and proliferate as epithelial metastatic deposits. The relationship between the existence of CTCs and tumor prognosis has been demonstrated by many researchers. In surgery for malignancies, the surgical manipulation of tumors and tissues around the tumor may lead to the release of CTCs into the bloodstream. The non-touch isolation technique (NTIT) has been advocated to prevent the release of CTCs during surgery. The concept of NTIT is the prevention of intraoperative increment of CTCs from the primary tumor by the early blockade of outflow vessels, and 'pulmonary vein (PV)-first lobectomy' during surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) corresponds to this technique. The concept of PV-first lobectomy is well known among thoracic surgeons, but evidence of its efficacy for preventing the increase of intra- and postoperative CTCs and for improving postoperative prognosis is still uncertain. Our study summarizes evidence regarding the relationship between NTIT and CTCs in NSCLC and suggests the need for further research on CTCs and CTC-detecting modalities.