Circulating Tumor Cells – A Review

Context: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are those cells that separate from the primary tumor to enter circulation. This is facili- tated by Epithelial -Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) or through Non EMT based modalities by passive entry into circulation. CTCs are responsible for causing distant metastasis. Objectives: This review article briefly describes few of the mechanisms of CTC production and survival and few methods that are used to detect CTCs Materials and Methods: Data was collected and analyzed from published literature and electronic database searches of PubMed and Google Scholar. Result: CTCs acquire genetic alteration that differentiates them from the primary tumor. Majority of CTCs do not survive in the circulation but the few that do, do so by adapting various survival mechanisms. Conclusion: Detection of CTCs help in the early diagnosis of cancer, providing patient tailored therapy and for monitoring of cancer.

Melanocytoma of cerebellum.

Melanocytomas are rare melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system. We report a rare case of melanocytoma in the cerebellum of a 35-year-old male patient. Computed tomography scan showed a cystic lesion with an enhancing solid component arising from the cerebellum. The lesion was resected and a histological diagnosis of melanocytoma of the cerebellum was made.

Parathyroid cyst--a rare case report.

A rare case of parathyroid cyst in a forty six-year-old lady diagnosed clinically as solitary thyroid nodule is reported. An intra-operative diagnosis of parathyroid cyst was made which was confirmed histopathologically. The clinicopathologic aspects, diagnostic methods and treatment modalities of this unusual condition are briefly discussed.