Comparative analysis of tumor cell dissemination in mesenteric, central, and peripheral venous blood in patients with colorectal cancer

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Moritz Koch - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Jürgen Weitz - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Peter Kienle - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Arel Benner - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Frank Willeke - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Thomas Lehnert - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Christian Herfarth - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Magnus Von Knebel Doeberitz - , Heidelberg University  (Author)

Abstract

Background: Metastatic disease in colorectal cancer results from hematogenic dissemination of tumor cells. This dissemination can be explained by 2 concepts: (1) regional spread of tumor cells via portal venous drainage into the liver as the first site of metastasis and (2) early spread of tumor cells into central and peripheral venous blood as evidence of systemic hematogenic tumor cell dissemination. Hypothesis: Tumor cell detection in different blood compartments could help to understand the predominant pattern of hematogenic tumor cell dissemination in colorectal cancer. Design: Prospective consecutive series. Setting: University hospital. Patients and Methods: Mesenteric, central, and peripheral venous blood samples from 40 patients with colorectal cancer were examined by cytokeratin 20 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Main Outcome Measures: Sensitivity and specifity of cytokeratin 20 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and frequency of tumor cell detection in different blood compartments. Results: Tumor cells were found in mesenteric venous blood of 20 of 40 patients, central venous blood of 6 of 40 patients, and peripheral venous blood of 2 of 19 patients. The detection rate in mesenteric venous blood was significantly higher than that in central and peripheral venous blood (P<.001). Conclusions: The significantly higher detection rate in mesenteric venous blood emphasizes the importance of the filter function of the liver for circulating tumor cells in portal venous blood. Tumor cell detection in central and peripheral venous blood, however, shows that this filtering process is limited and indicates early systemic hematogenic tumor cell dissemination in colorectal cancer.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)85-89
Number of pages5
Journal Archives of surgery
Volume136
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2001
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 11146784

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas