Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs)

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that have detached from a primary tumor and entered the bloodstream. They can travel through the blood vessels, potentially spreading cancer to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis. Detecting CTCs helps doctors monitor cancer progression, assess treatment effectiveness, and sometimes guide personalized therapies. Because they are rare and fragile, advanced methods are needed to identify and analyze these cells among millions of normal blood cells. Understanding CTCs provides valuable insights into how cancers spread and can inform better management strategies.