An interventional optical molecular imaging system and method are provided for use with a biopsy introducer needle. The system includes an imaging tool configured to slide coaxially through the biopsy introducer needle toward a tip of the biopsy introducer needle. The system also includes a laser illumination source coupled to the imaging tool, a camera configured to capture images from the imaging tool, and a computer coupled to the camera and the laser illumination source. The computer includes a processor configured to activate the laser illumination source to emit light through a tip of the imaging tool, collect imaging data from the camera after activating the laser illumination source, analyze the imaging data to determine a fluorescence measurement at the tip of the imaging tool, and display an indication of the fluorescence measurement.
