Minimal residual disease in early colorectal carcinoma

The detection and importance of cancer cells circulating in blood is a subject to discussion for more than a century. Their prognostic value for patients with colorectal cancer is still disputable. Aim: The present study provides information about the specificity and sensitivity of molecular biology, oncogenetics and histopathological methods for early diagnostics of minimal residual disease in the blood of colorectal cancer patients. Scope: PUBMED query results from 1975 tо 2011 were analyzed. The information provides evidence that the presence of such cells is essential for monitoring the progression and therapeutic response of this oncological disease. Conclusions: During the last decade, new technologies have allowed to use methods with substantial sensitivity and specificity for detection of minimal residual disease in oncological patients, including those with colorectal carcinoma. Data have shown that these cells were with considerable metastatic potential and that their eradication had a direct effect on patients' survival. Therefore, the improvement of methods for early diagnostics and the subsequent specific characterization of initial tumour levels have caused a revision of concepts for operative and conservative treatment of oncological patients. Their further research would give new possibilities for individual assessment of the risk for metastasis, different from the standardized and commonly accepted TNM staging.