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Breast Cancer Research
Published in: Breast Cancer Research 6/2000

01-12-2000 | Review

Molecular biology of breast cancer metastasis Clinical implications of experimental studies on metastatic inefficiency

Authors: Ann F Chambers, George N Naumov, Sharon A Vantyghem, Alan B Tuck

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 6/2000

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Abstract

Recent technological advances have led to an increasing ability to detect isolated tumour cells and groups of tumour cells in patients' blood, lymph nodes or bone marrow. However, the clinical significance of these cells is unclear. Should they be considered as evidence of metastasis, necessitating aggressive treatment, or are they in some cases unrelated to clinical outcome? Quantitative experimental studies on the basic biology of metastatic inefficiency are providing clues that may help in understanding the significance of these cells. This understanding will be of use in guiding clinical studies to assess the significance of isolated tumour cells and micrometastases in cancer patients.
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Metadata
Title
Molecular biology of breast cancer metastasis Clinical implications of experimental studies on metastatic inefficiency
Authors
Ann F Chambers
George N Naumov
Sharon A Vantyghem
Alan B Tuck
Publication date
01-12-2000
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Breast Cancer Research / Issue 6/2000
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr86

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