Detection of circulating tumor cells in cancers of biliary origin.

Abstract

Our finding that 25% of patients with cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer have two or more detectable CTCs/7.5 mL is the first report to our knowledge in this disease. Larger patient numbers are needed to determine the prognostic significance of finding CTCs in biliary cancer. Prospective validation of the role of CTC in advanced biliary cancer patients is on going.