"VELscope"
Turning the spotlight on early detection of oral cancer.
Which form of cancer kills more Americans every year, melanoma
(skin cancer), cervical cancer, or oral cancer? Much to the surprise
of most people, the answer is oral cancer. The reason is diagnosis.
Studies have shown that 66% of all oral cancers are diagnosed stage
3 and stage 4 which results in a 5 year survival rate of under
50%.
1. Appearance under incandescent
light: No visible lesion
2. Appearance under VELscope:
No loss of fluorescence
Dentists have strived for many years to find
oral cancers early but, unlike some other cancers, there is not
much distinguishing early cancerous lesions to the unaided eye.
A new device developed by a Canadian company has changed all
of that. The VELscope is a hand-held portable device that can
detect changes in the mouth you can’t see with the naked eye. In the dark, the blue light
defines the borders of a cancerous lesion that would otherwise
be invisible. The new device can even find pre-cancerous changes
called “dysplasias” before they become cancerous.
1. Appearance under incandescent
light: No visible lesion
2. Appearance under VELscope:
No loss of fluorescence
Dr. Magid is one of the first dentists in the United States to
incorporate the VELscope in his private dental practice. When Dr.
Magid shines the light of the VELscope in the mouth, normal tissues
will fluoresce a green color but the tissue that is pre-cancerous
or cancerous will look dark. If a suspicious area is detected a
biopsy can be taken to determine the extent of the changes and
remove the entire affected area when it is very small. The ability
to detect the disease early means we can control the disease. The
problem with oral cancer is it is a very aggressive cancer but
if you catch it early the survival rate is over 85%. The goal is
to detect these changes as early as possible.
1. Appearance under incandescent
light: No visible lesion
2. Appearance under VELscope:
No loss of fluorescence
Who does Dr. Magid check with the VELscope? Every adult patient
should be checked yearly. While smokers, and those who drink alcoholic
beverages regularly, or those with a past history of cancer are
at a higher risk of oral cancer, recent studies have shown a relationship
of oral cancer with Human Papilloma Virus. This is the virus that
is significant in cervical cancer. Alarmingly 25% of newly diagnosed
cases are those who are younger and do not have the risk factors
considered before.
This new oral cancer test is comfortable, quick, inexpensive,
and is covered by many dental or medical insurance policies.
The use of the VELscope technology for detection
of oral cancer is only the beginning. The same technology may
be used in the lung, the cervix and other sites for which testing
is now ongoing.
