# The benefits of using confocal laser endomicroscopy in the diagnosis of gastric cancer and precancerous lesions: a case report

## TL;DR

This case report shows how confocal laser endomicroscopy helps diagnose early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions in real time during endoscopy.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the clinical utility of confocal laser endomicroscopy in distinguishing benign from malignant gastric lesions in real time.

## Key findings

- CLE imaging revealed features consistent with mild to moderate inflammation but no signs of malignancy.
- CLE can aid in early differentiation of benign and malignant gastrointestinal lesions.
- CLE is not a replacement for histopathology but improves early cancer detection accuracy.

## Abstract

Cases of early gastrointestinal cancers (EGC) are often identified as advanced stages due to the lack of typical clinical manifestations, leading to missed or delayed diagnoses. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), a novel microscopic imaging technique, enables real-time in vivo histological examination during endoscopy, providing a valuable tool for the early detection of EGC.

A 62-year-old woman with a gastric antral lesion, considered a polyp or early cancer, underwent CLE during gastroscopy to refine and confirm the diagnosis.

CLE imaging showed mild irregularities in the glandular architecture, thickening of the mucosal margins, the presence of pleated structures, dilated glandular openings, increased vascularity, and mild fluorescein leakage, all consistent with mild to moderate inflammatory changes. No features suggestive of malignant lesions were revealed.

CLE may play a pivotal role in the early differentiation of benign and malignant gastrointestinal lesions. While not yet a replacement for histopathology, CLE demonstrates significant clinical utility and potential for improving the accuracy of early cancer detection and long-term monitoring.