Prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in non-small-cell lung cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detected in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still inconsistent. We aimed to assess the prognostic relevance of CTCs using a meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE for relevant studies that assessed the prognostic relevance of CTCs in NSCLC. Statistical analyses were conducted to calculate the summary incidence, odds ratio, relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using fixed or random-effects models according to the heterogeneity of included studies.

Results

A total of 20 studies, comprising 1576 patients, met the inclusion criteria. In identified studies, CTCs were not correlated with histology (adenocarcinoma vs squamous cell carc

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3817175 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature