Optical coherence tomography as a method for identifying benign and malignant microscopic structures in the prostate gland

Objectives. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new optical imaging tec hnique capable of providing cross-sectional imaging of tissue microstructur e in vivo and in real time. OCT was used in the setting of the human prosta te ex vivo, and the images acquired were compared with those obtained using standard histopathologic methods. Methods. Multiple samples (3 to 6) were obtained from the radical prostatec tomy specimens of 7 men with clinically localized (T1c-2, N0, M0) adenocarc inoma of the prostate. These specimens were 1 cm in length and 1 mm x 1 mm in rectangular cross section. Specimens were first imaged using OCT and the n embedded and stained in preparation for histopathologic evaluation. Co-re gistration of the images obtained using OCT and standard histopathologic ev aluation provided the basis for comparison. Results. Structural architecture on the order of 50 to 150 mu m within beni gn glandular epithelium, fibro-adipose tissue, and malignant glandular epit helium could be resolved to a depth of approximately 0.5 mm using OCT. Conclusions. Microscopic resolution is possible in human prostatic tissue u sing OCT. Further studies using this technique to improve the detection and staging of adenocarcinoma of the prostate are ongoing. UROLOGY 55: 783-787 , 2000. (C) 2000, Elsevier Science Inc.