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Circulating and disseminated tumour cells in head and neck cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 July 2015

A T Harris ,
S Derbyshire ,
J Wilson ,
C Loh ,
A J Kinshuck ,
B Attlmayr  and
T M Jones
A T Harris*
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
S Derbyshire
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
J Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
C Loh
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
A J Kinshuck
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
B Attlmayr
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
T M Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Andrew Harris, North West Cancer Research Centre, 200 London Road, Liverpool L3 9AT, UK E-mail: A.T.Harris@liverpool.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background:

Multimodal treatment options in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have allowed for greater control of locoregional disease, but this has not translated into a significant overall survival advantage for patients. This is partially because these treatment modalities have no influence over the rate of development of distant metastases.

Objective:

This article summarises the current methods of detecting circulating and disseminated tumour cells. It also discusses how these cells can offer prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and considers questions posed by the identification of these cells.

Methods:

A literature search of relevant journal articles was performed using ScienceDirect and PubMed databases, and a general article search was conducted using the online search engine Google.

Results and conclusion:

The evidence presented in this article indicates that circulating tumour cells and disseminated tumour cells may be clinically useful as prognostic markers or in the assessment of response to treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords

Neoplastic CellsCirculatingSurvival

Information

Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 9 , September 2015 , pp. 826 - 830
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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