Detection of Early Gastric Cancers Using Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy

Comparison Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy With Conventional Endoscopy for the Detection of Early Gastric Cancers

The purpose of this study is to determine whether endomicroscopy can improve the detection of Early Gastric Cancers (EGC).

Endoscopy is proved to be the best method to achieve early diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), a new diagnostic modality, has been shown to be valuable in increasing the diagnostic yield of colorectal neoplasias, but it is not clear whether CLE is helpful to find out early gastric cancer (EGC).The aim of the study is to investigate the value of CLE in improving the detection of EGCs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 45 years old ≤ age < 80 years old
• Patients with dyspeptic symptoms or with gastric premalignant conditions for surveillance gastroscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known cancers or gastrectomy

• Scheduled for endoscopic treatment

• Alarm symptoms such as dysphagia, anaemia, gastrointestinal bleeding or obstruction, marked weight loss

• Under conditions such as:

  • ascites
  • jaundice
  • liver cirrhosis
  • impaired renal function
  • coagulopathy
  • fever
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

• Inability to provide informed consent

• Known allergy to fluorescein sodium