Circulating tumor cells predict poorer survival outcomes in colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal metastases

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detected in 37% of colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal metastases were associated with shorter recurrence-free and overall survival after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Patients with CTCs post-neoadjuvant treatment had significantly worse outcomes. Adjuvant therapy improved prognosis in CTC-positive patients but not in CTC-negative ones. CTCs may serve as a personalized biomarker for monitoring disease progression and predicting therapy response in this patient population.