Colorectal Cancer Detection by Means of Optical Fluoroscopy

The aim of the present prospective study was to investigate the fluorescence emission of human blood plasma of patients with colorectal cancer.

For years, serum tumor markers have been studied for the diagnosis and follow-up of colorectal cancer, among which carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has achieved promising results. However, the sensitivity of CEA for colorectal cancer is less than 25% and elevated CEA levels also occur in patients with benign disease, as well as in patients with other carcinomas. Nevertheless, surveillance programs are often based on the CEA test and combination with other markers is at present a matter of research. Alternative methods based on optical fluoroscopy have been introduced in experimental stages for clinical diagnosis of cancer. Few studies have been reported on the application of native fluorescence spectroscopy of biofluids in the diagnosis of tumoral diseases. The above reported findings prompted us to investigate the fluorescence emission of human blood plasma of patients with colorectal cancer. For this purpose, the blood of patients was collected and the fluorescence Preliminary measurements on plasma of patients bearing colon cancer showed that the fluorescence spectra were mainly characterized by the presence of an emission peaking at 620-630 nm, whose excitation spectrum peaked at 405 nm. Hence, an excitation wavelength of 405 nm was selected for the study. The fluorescence emission spectra were recorded in the range of 430-700 nm.

Eligibility criteria: Gastrointestinal disease or clinical symptoms related to colorectal cancer risk submitted to endoscopy. Exclusion criteria consisted of age younger than 18 years, history of psychiatric illness, and preoperative radiotherapy.

Outcome: investigated the possible role of the native fluorescence of blood plasma in the management of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its feasibility as a new tumor marker. Sample of blood was collected from asymptomatic blood donors and from CRC patients. The native fluorescence of blood plasma was measured using a conventional spectrofluorimeter.

• Experimental: patient with colo-rectal cancer
  fluorescence spectra will be mainly characterized by the presence of an emission peaking at 620-630 nm
  Intervention: Device: Optical Fluoroscopy
• Active Comparator: patient without colo-rectal cancer
  fluorescence spectra will be characterized by the absence of an emission peaking at 620-630 nm
  Intervention: Device: Optical Fluoroscopy

Inclusion Criteria:

Gastrointestinal disease clinical symptoms related to colorectal cancer risk endoscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

Age younger than 18 years or more than 75 years, history of psychiatric illness, preoperative chemo/radiotherapy.