Tumour Localisation Technologies in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Scoping Review of Marking and Detection Methods

Background: Precise intraoperative localisation of small colorectal tumours during laparoscopic surgery remains challenging due to absent tactile feedback and subserosal tumour location. Current standard methods, particularly India ink tattooing, demonstrate 15–30% failure rates for lesions less than 10 mm, leading to prolonged operative times, incomplete resections, and re-operations. Multiple emerging technologies promise improved localisation, yet comparative evidence remains fragmented. Objective: To map and characterise the current landscape of intraoperative marking and identification technologies for small colorectal tumour localisation during laparoscopic surgery, with emphasis on radiofrequency-based methods and alternative approaches, and to identify evidence gaps guiding future research. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from January 2000 through December 2025 for studies evaluating tumour localisation technologies in colorectal cancer surgery, including primary tumour localisation during laparoscopic colectomy and localisation of colorectal liver metastases during hepatic surgery, or transferable anatomical applications with documented translational potential to colorectal surgery. Two independent reviewers screened all records, with discrepancies resolved through discussion and a third senior reviewer consulted for unresolved disagreements; data were extracted on technical performance, safety, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, usability, innovation potential, and evidence quality. Results: We included 89 studies comprising 18 colorectal-specific articles and 71 transferable/GI-adjacent studies. Detection success rates ranged from 71% to 100% across modalities. Near-infrared fluorescence with indocyanine green demonstrated the strongest clinical evidence with 75–100% detection across eight colorectal studies encompassing 2134 procedures and seamless workflow integration. Radiofrequency identification systems achieved 91.9–99% detection in feasibility studies with promising tissue penetration of 15–35 mm but limited colorectal validation. Electromagnetic navigation excelled in rigid organs with 85–98% success but showed degraded performance in mobile bowel at 71–75%. Critical evidence gaps included absent head-to-head comparative trials, non-standardised outcome metrics limiting cross-study comparability, and limited long-term safety data with only 14 studies providing follow-up exceeding six months. Conclusions: ICG fluorescence represents the most clinically mature technology identified, representing a priority candidate for colorectal-specific validation in challenging localisation scenarios. RFID systems demonstrate promising characteristics justifying prioritised research investment through adequately powered comparative trials. Future research must emphasise consortium-based comparative effectiveness studies, standardised outcome metrics, and integration with robotic and AI-assisted surgical platforms to accelerate clinical translation.