Tumor cells in the blood may indicate poor prognosis in early breast cancer

(Oxford University Press USA) Tumor cells in bone marrow of early breast cancer patients predict a higher risk of relapse as well as poorer survival, but bone marrow biopsy is an invasive and painful procedure. Now, it may be possible to identify tumor cells in a routine blood sample and use them as prognostic markers, according to a study published May 15 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news