Circulating tumour cells and survival of patients with gastric cancer

Background: The prognostic significance of the presence of tumour cells in the blood of gastric cancer patients remains unclear. Their occurrence and its association with the stage of disease and long-term survival was determined. Patients and Methods: Fifty-seven patients with stage I-IV gastric cancer were divided into two groups: these with and these without circulating tumour cells that were identified as cytokeratin positive (CK+) cells among CD45– cells (obtained by sorting of CD45+ leukocytes). Results: Tumour cells were detected prior surgery in the peripheral blood of 54.4% patients but no clear association with the stage of disease was observed. After gastrectomy detection rate was 21.1%. There was no significant difference in the 5-year survival of patients, with or without CK+ in the blood. Conclusion: The presence of circulating tumour cells is of no prognostic value in patients with resectable gastric cancer.