Relevance of circulating tumour cells in patients undergoing laparoscopic colon resection versus open resection: a randomised trial

Study hypothesis: We hypothesise that free circulating tumour cells can be detected during surgery in patients with colorectal cancer. Since minimal invasive surgery causes less trauma and tumour manipulations we hypothesise that the amount of free circulating tumour cells is less compared to the level detected during open surgery in comparable patient groups. Minimal invasive surgery causes less severe impairment of the immune system compared to open surgery. Since the surgical trauma might enhance tumour shedding and compromises immune function, the minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer might both lower the risk of tumour shedding and result in less compromised immune down-regulation resulting in better protection against tumour shedding.
Primary outcome(s): The amount of circulating tumour material induced by the surgical procedure, measured before, during and after the surgical procedure.