Pan-cancer screening by circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) – recent breakthroughs and chronic pitfalls

Abstract Early detection is crucial for optimal treatment and prognosis of cancer. New approaches pan-cancer screening comprise the comprehensive characterization circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma by next generation sequencing molecular profiling mutations methylation patterns, as well fragmentation analysis. These promise accurate localization multiple cancers early disease stages. However, studies with real populations have to show their clinical utility practicability.