Fluorescence is currently used in urology, particularly for exact determination of urinary bladder affections caused by papillomas or papillocarcinomas, or in bronchology for diagnosis of early bronchial carcinoma in groups at risk of exposure to asbestos, as well as in miners working in uranium mines. The fluorescence method can identify epithelial dysplasia or malignant proliferation even if diagnostic endoscopy does not detect any macroscopic change. This is considered the greatest advantage of this method. The authors present the first results of measurements made to diagnose colorectal carcinoma by using the fluorescence method. They examined colon mucosa as well as colonic adenocarcinoma proved by clinical and histological methods. Excitation was induced by an Ar ion laser producing a radiation of 514 nm wavelength or by a He Ne laser producing radiation of 640 nm wavelength. Our pilot study demonstrated significant differences between the radiation spectrum emitted by normal colon mucosa in comparison with that emitted by colonic tissue affected by adenocarcinoma. Our results form the basis for developing a diagnostic system designed for use in clinical practice.

        Key words: diagnosis by fluorescence – colorectal carcinoma – lasers