Objective:To evaluate the prognostic relevance of disseminating tumor cells (DTCs) detection in the bone marrow of patients with breast cancer. Methods:The literature was searched from Medline,Embase,China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),Wanfang Data and VIP information database. Review Manager 5.1.4 was used for Meta-analysis and main outcome measures included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results:A total of 4 091 patients from 14 studies were enrolled. Meta-analysis associated the presence of DTCs with both poor PFS[HR=1.83(95%CI:1.51~2.22),n = 12,I2 = 75%]and OS[HR=1.59(95%CI:1.39~1.83),n = 12,I2 = 58%]. The subgroup analyses on different sampling time showed that the detection of DTCs was a potential prognostic factor before,during and after operation. Stratification by different detection methods also showed that there were statistically significant differences in PFS and OS between DTCs-positive patients and DTCs-negative ones both in iICC(immunocytochemistry) and RT-(q)PCR (reverse transcriptionanse quantitative polymerase chain reaction) compartment (P < 0.000 01). Conclusion:The presence of DTCs before,during and after operation indicates early recurrence and death in breast cancer patients.