only the toys? The detection and treatment of early-stage neoplastic lesions in the gastrointestinal tract is associated with improved survival and the potential for complete endoscopic resection that is minimally invasive and associated with less morbidity compared to surgery. Despite of technological advances in standard white-light endoscopy, the ability of endoscopist to reliably detect these lesions is limited. Early detection may be enhanced by several promising diagnostic modalities such chromoendoscopy, magnification endoscopy and optical spectroscopic imaging techniques, as these modalities offer the potential to identify lesions that are inconspicuous under conventional endoscopy. Endocytoscopy and confocal endoscopy allow in vivo „histology” during endoscopy. The combination of novel diagnostic techniques and local endoscopic therapies will enhance the detection and management of early-stage lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.

        Key words: endoscopic diagnostic techniques – chromoendoscopy – magnification endoscopy – spectroscopic imaging – endocytoscopy – confocal endoscopy