Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Advanced Gastric Cancer

Prediction of Recurrence in Advanced Gastric Cancer After Radical Resection by Circulating Tumor Cells （CTCs）

To assess the predictive value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for recurrence of advanced gastric cancer after radical resection.

To identify the relationship between the detection of circulation tumor cells and recurrence patterns of gastric cancer after radical resection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having signed informed consent
• Age≥ 18 years old
• Histologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma
• Preoperative clinical examination and imaging indicating operable disease
• complete resection (R0 resection)
• D2 or D2+ resection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other tumor type than adenocarcinoma
• Patients who have been given preoperative chemotherapy/chemoradiation.
• Staging investigations or intraoperative exploration indicating inoperable disease
• R1 or R2 resection
• D0 or D1 resection
• Patients unreliable for follow up
• Past history of malignancy