This review article focus on Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs), which are cancer cells shed into the bloodstream. It offers an overview of CTCs, describing their molecular biology, importance in understanding cancer dissemination and metastasis, and their potential as a liquid biopsy tool. A significant portion of the review is dedicated to detailing the technological challenges and advances in isolating and characterizing these rare cells, contrasting CTC-based diagnostics with the more clinically common circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Finally, the article explores the current and future clinical applications of CTC analysis, including monitoring metastatic disease, detecting localized cancers, and informing therapeutic strategies like immunotherapy and targeted treatments.
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