Novel rapid detection method for circulating tumour cells

A major cause of cancer-associated mortality is metastasis. During metastasis cancer cells use the circulatory system to migrate and form secondary tumours in distant organs. Cancer cells which enter the peripheral circulation (circulating tumour cells) are of paramount research and clinical interest as they can be used as a biomarker of cancer progression and survival. Tumour cells produce more lactic acid than their normal counterparts. This paper reports on novel approach of using low power athermal electromagnetic waves as a sensing mechanism for early cancer detection.