The endocytoscopy system is a novel diagnostic technique that provides extremely high-magnification imaging of the gastrointestinal mucosa. We are currently using a prototype Olympus endocytoscope for clinical research in gastrointestinal tumors. In one surgical specimen obtained after resection of a cancer of the transverse colon, focal abnormalities of colonic glands were detected 7 cm away from the primary tumor, within macroscopically normal mucosa. Our finding, which was confirmed by histopathological examination, suggests the need for further clinical investigation to assess whether endocytoscopy is able to identify premalignant changes in apparently normal mucosa. This could potentially be useful for accurate evaluation before planning minimally invasive therapy.
References
1
Kumagai Y, Monma K, Kawada K.
Magnifying chromoendoscopy of the esophagus: in-vivo pathological diagnosis using an endocytoscopy system.
Endoscopy.
2004;
36
590-594
2
Dumonçeau J M, Giostra E, Genta R. et al .
In vivo microscopic examination of the esophagus for the detection of cancer before liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Endoscopy.
2006;
38
282-284
3
Sasajima K, Kudo S E, Inoue H. et al .
Real-time in vivo virtual histology of colorectal lesions when using the endocytoscopy system.
Gastrointest Endosc.
2006;
63
1010-1017
5
Peek Jr R M, Mohla S, DuBois R N.
Inflammation in the genesis and perpetuation of cancer: summary and recommendations from a national cancer institute-sponsored meeting.
Cancer Res.
2005;
65
8583-8596
7 Hamilton S R, Aaltonen L A . World Health Organization classification of tumors: pathology and genetics of tumors of the digestive system. Lyon; IARC Press 2000
