Imaging and evaluation of neoplasia using optical coherence tomography

Summary form only given. Techniques for diagnosis and management of neoplasia have advanced considerably, offering patients better management and more treatment alternatives. A technology capable of imaging tissue, at or near the cellular level, could lead to the detection of pathology at earlier stages than currently possible. This could significantly improve patient outcomes, since once metastatic, cure is difficult. The authors show that Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging can resolve many of the changes associated with neoplasia and may provide a tool for in vivo, real-time evaluation of neoplastic changes. OCT can produce real time, in situ imaging of cross sectional tissue microstructure with micron scale resolution.