Detection of disseminated tumor cells in patients with cervical cancer

Abstract

Purpose. Detection of disseminated tumor cells in a cohort of patients presenting the entire spectrum of invasive cervical cancer.

Methods. Disseminated tumor cells were detected in blood samples taken at different times during surgery or in bone marrow aspirates by a HPV type-specific nested PCR enzyme immunoassay (n-PCR-EIA). A group of 24 patients with HPV-positive cervical cancers representing early and late stages were evaluated, and 15 patients with breast cancer and without HPV-related genital disease served as controls.

Results. Disseminated tumor cells were detected in blood samples and/or bone marrow aspirates of 6 of 24 patients. A significant association was found between detectable disseminated tumor cells and recurrent disease (P=0.013) and between disseminated tumor cells and survival of the patients (P=0.0054). There was also a clear association between the presence of disseminated tumor cells and tumor size and/or positive lymph node status which, however, was not statistically significant. There was no evidence of increased shedding of tumor cells during surgery.

Conclusion. Detection of disseminated tumor cells in blood or bone marrow may prove to be of prognostic value, particularly for early-stage cervical cancers.