Circulating Tumor Cells are an Independent Predictor of Shorter Survival in Patients Undergoing Resection for Pancreatic and Periampullary Adenocarcinoma.

Objective: We evaluated the prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for patients with presumed resectable pancreatic and periampullary cancers.

Summary Of Background Data: Initial treatment decisions for this group are currently taken without a reliable prognostic marker. The CellSearch system allows standardized CTC-testing and has shown excellent specificity and prognostic value in other applications.