3. Circulating tumor cells3.1. CTC detectionSubsequent detection, quantification and molecular characterizationof CTCs have an enormous potential in numerousareas of oncology. In the early stages of the disease CTCsmay be used to predict the risk of generating metastasisand to assess prognosis. In the course of therapy, CTCsmay be used to evaluate therapy response or as an auxiliarymethod to help choose a suitable therapeutic regimen. This