Fluorescence diagnosis of colorectal neoplasms: a review of clinical applications.

Detection of dysplasia and early-stage carcinoma of the lower gastrointestinal tract is important in the prevention and curative treatment of cancer. Fluorescence-based endoscopic imaging and spectrometry promise a supplemental technique for conventional endoscopy. Fluorescence diagnosis is characterized by the stimulation of exogenous or endogenous fluorophores in malignant or precancerous tumor cells. The emitted fluorescence allows the identification of lesions that are otherwise occult in conventional endoscopy. A review of literature was performed to examine the experience gained with fluorescence diagnosis and to assess its clinical value in the detection of colorectal diseases.