Fluorescence Confocal Microscopy in Urological Malignancies: Current Applications and Future Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Imaging
• Pathology

Background:

• Fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) is an emerging diagnostic tool for real-time histological analysis of non-fixed specimens.
• Its application in urology is growing, but current evidence is limited and diverse.
• FCM offers a potential alternative to traditional histopathology in urological diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a narrative review of current literature on Fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) in urological practice.
• To evaluate the accuracy and potential applications of FCM in diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa), urothelial carcinoma (UC), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
• To explore the role of FCM in both office-based and intraoperative settings.

Main Methods:

• A narrative literature review was performed.
• Databases searched included Pubmed, Embase, and Medline.
• Studies focusing on FCM applications in PCa, UC, and RCC, in office and intraoperative settings, were included.

Main Results:

• FCM demonstrated promising accuracy when compared to conventional histopathology.
• The technique provides instant histological evaluation, potentially influencing clinical decision-making.
• Evidence suggests FCM is a valuable diagnostic support in urological practice.

Conclusions:

• FCM shows significant potential as an innovative, ready-to-use diagnostic tool in urology.
• The technique addresses an unmet clinical need for rapid, reliable histological assessment.
• Further research is necessary to fully establish the capabilities and validation of FCM.