Methods for Localization of Cancerous Tissue Using Fluorescent Molecular Imaging Agent for Diagnosis or Treatment

Methods are provided that include navigating an instrument, via a minimally invasive route (e.g., an endoluminal procedure), into a patient to whom a molecular imaging agent has been intravenously administered, to position the instrument in an area of a tissue abnormality; and visualizing, via the instrument, tissue in the area under near-infrared (NIR) light, wherein the molecular imaging agent, as administered, causes abnormal tissue in the area to fluoresce under the NIR light and enable the fluorescing abnormal tissue to be localized within the area. The method may further include diagnosing and/or treating the fluorescing abnormal tissue.