A novel methodology for in vivo endoscopic phenotyping of colorectal cancer based on real-time analysis of the mucosal lipidome: a prospective observational study of the iKnife.

Background: This pilot study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and colonic adenomas.

Methods: Patients undergoing elective surgical resection for CRC were recruited at St. Mary's Hospital London and The Royal Marsden Hospital, UK.