Objective: To confirm the effect of radical operation on single cells metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer.
Methods: One hundred and seventy two patients with gastrointestinal cancer were divided randomly into group I (111 cases, ordinary operation) and group II (61 cases, operation after ligation of drained vessels). Catheters were inserted into the portal vein during operation. Blood was aspirated and contrifugated. Anti-EMA monoclonal antibody marked the cancer cells, which were shown by ABC immunohistochemical staining.
Results: In the examinate group, 72 cases of gastrointestinal cancer were found positive cells among 111 cases (positive rate 64.9%). In the control group, 61 cases were tested and 13 cases were found positive cells (positive rate 21.3%) with a highly significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.005).
Conclusions: Ligating the relative blood vessel before the radical operation can prevent single cancer cells from metastasis via portal vein.