Isolated tumor cells

Schott, A., Vogel, I., Krueger, U., Kalthoff, H., Schreiber, H. W., Schmiegel, W., etal.. Isolated tumor cells are frequently detectable in the peritoneal cavity of gastric and colorectal cancer patients and serve as a new prognostic marker. Arm. Surg. Ill, 372-379 (1998). 

The molecular detection of micrometastases is more sensitive and selective than the classic histopathologic examination of lymph nodes. Many studies showed that about one-third of breast cancer patients with histological negative lymph nodes develop recurrent disease due to the presence of lymph node micrometastases or isolates tumor cells. 

Ryser, H. j. Studies on protein uptake by isolated tumor cells. III. Apparent stimulation due to pH, hypertonicity, polycations, or dehydration and their relation to the enhanced penetration of infectious nucleic acids. J. Cell Biol. 32, 737-750 (1967). 

---