Optical sectioning wide-field microscopy for imaging oral cancer

We describe the use of an optical sectioning wide-field microscope with an exogenous dye in order to improve the visualization of early oral cancer detection. We show positive results in imaging and optically sectioning turbid tissue phantoms stained with Acridine Orange, a non-specific fluorescent DNA dye. This optical technique, if coupled with appropriate contrast agents could improve both the visualization and specificity of epithelial cancer detection.