Can fluorescence-guided imaging be used to find neoplasms in veterinary medicine?
Fluorescence-guided imaging is a technique where a special dye or probe is given to the patient, then a camera that detects fluorescent light is used to make tumor tissue glow during surgery. In veterinary medicine, this approach has reached real clinical use, especially in surgical oncology, where it helps surgeons see tumor margins in real time 2. The short answer is yes, it can be used to find neoplasms (tumors) in animals, but the evidence shows it works better in some cases than others, and it can produce false positives 8.
What the research says
A 2025 perspective review on biophotonics in veterinary medicine reported that among available light-based imaging methods, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescence-guided imaging have achieved the highest level of clinical translation in animals. The review specifically names surgical oncology, meaning cancer surgery, as a key area where fluorescence-guided imaging is used for real-time intraoperative tumor margin delineation, which means identifying the edges of a tumor while the operation is happening 2. Other methods like hyperspectral imaging and Raman spectroscopy remain mostly in research settings 2.
What to ask your doctor
- Is fluorescence-guided imaging available for my pet's type of tumor, and would it help the surgeon see the margins better?
- What are the risks of false positives or missed tumor tissue with this technique, based on studies in dogs 8?
- Would using this imaging change the surgical plan or the amount of tissue removed?
- Are there newer fluorescent agents or probes being studied that might work better than indocyanine green 79?
- Should we consider a referral to a veterinary oncology center that has experience with this technology 2?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Oncology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.