Optical coherence tomography for cancer detection

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging high-resolution medical and biological imaging technology that is currently making the transition from the research lab into clinical practice. OCT is analogous to ultrasound B-mode imaging except that reflections of light are detected rather than sound. This technique is attractive for medical imaging because it permits real-time in situ imaging of tissue microstructure with resolution approaching that of conventional histology, but without the need for excision and histological processing. Although OCT penetration depth is on the order of 1-2 mm (Schmitt 1999), its fiber-optic implementation enables the use of compact endoscopic probes that facilitate internal access within the body, including epithelial layers, where 85% of all cancers originate (Gurjar et al. 2001).