Evaluation of Rectal Tumor Margin Using Confocal Endomicroscopy and Comparison to Histopathology

This innovative study will involve the use of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy, a new medical imaging technology never used for surgical indications to date. Virtual biopsies (pCLE images) will be compared to histopathology analysis. This study focuses on the evaluation of rectal tumor margins. The hypothesis is that pCLE will allow identification of rectal tumor margin, comparable to that of histopathology. In the future, decision of resection margin could rely on intraoperative pCLE exam. The proposed study is a feasibility study, first in the indication of rectal cancer.