〔Abstract〕 Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant gastrointestinal cancer with a poor prognosis , and early diagnosis remains challenging. The use of reliable biomarkers can significantly enhance the early evaluation and management of this disease . Circulating tumor cells ( CTCs) are released into the bloodstream and can be obtained easily through minimally invasive liquid - based biopsy , making them promising candidates for early tumor diagnosis , prognosis assessment , and monitoring therapeutic responses . In this paper , we review the advancements in CTCs detection technology and their clinical applications in pancreatic cancer over the past decade , both domestically and internationally . Our goal is to offer a new perspective on the early diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.