Oral Cancer Detection Devices
Recently, we had a Twitter follower ask us what the latest methods of detecting oral cancer are. With Twitter’s allowances of only 140 characters to answer the question, we decided to post a blog that gives a more in depth look at the state of oral cancer detection devices.
The main oral cancer detection devices that are on the market today are:
- Brush biopsy – “The OralCDx® BrushTest®is an easy, painless and definitive way for dentists to test the common small white and red oral spots that most people have in their mouth at one time or another. The BrushTest is used to determine if a common oral spot contains abnormal cells (known as dysplasia) that, if left alone for several years, may develop into oral cancer.”
- ViziLite Plus, MicroLux DL – A light technology that “in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer.”
- Velscope - “The ‘white light’ exam. The VELscope exam is actually the second step in a comprehensive oral cancer exam. The first step is a conventional ‘white light’ exam in which the dentist or hygienist looks for lesions in the oral cavity with the naked eye and uses palpation to feel for any bumps in the neck or face.”
- Trimira OCS 3000 – Trimira’s®, new Identafi® 3000 ultra uses the Identafi® Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye. But unlike other fluorescence technologies and dye systems, the Identafi® 3000 ultra is Multi-Spectral with three distinct color wavelengths, making it easier to distinguish lesion morphology and vasculature thereby reducing false positives.
The oral cancer detection devices mentioned above are only tools for screening and are not designed to diagnose oral cancer. They result false negatives if not used appropriately. The ideal screening is a conventional visual oral tactile exam at the dental office first.
Visiting a pathologist in suspicious cases is highly recommended. A second opinion can save you a lifetime. Do not wait and watch the cancer grow in your mouth.
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Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.
Free Oral Cancer Screening, Saturday, April 17th, Baylor Downtown Dallas
A FREE Oral Cancer Screening will be held at Baylor between 9am and 12 noon on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Baylor in Downtown Dallas. For the full sized brochure click this link: Oral Cancer Screening.
New HPV Salivary Test to Detect Oral Cancer
One of our goals here at The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation is to stay informed on new research and developments as they relate to oral cancer. Recently OralDNA Labs introduced a new test that will help dentists diagnose particular forms of oral cancer.
Shockingly, recent results have show that 50% of oral cancer cases are the resultant of HPV virus. This is a huge percentage, which is a leading factor in OralDNA Labs’ interest in finding a better way to diagnose and detect HPV in at-risk patients. According to OralDNA Labs, at-risk includes:
- Sexually active
- Family history of oral cancer
- Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
- Traditional risk factors for oral cancer
- Suspicious oral lesions
Chief Dental Officer, Thomas W. Nabors, DDC offers this information regarding the effectiveness of the detection tool:
“Oral HPV is a silent, serious infection that can now be detected adn closely monitored by the dental professional. Specifically, the laboratory report derived from the OraRisk HPV salivary diagnostic test helps dental professionals identify the specific types(s) of HPV present, as well as the associated risk profile for each type of HPV variant detected in the patient’s oral cavity.”
Having these types of salivary test should be a part of every patient’s plan as together we all fight oral cancer.
“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.“
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Oral Cancer Symptoms
Awareness for oral cancer is of such great importance because the high fatality rate among oral cancer patients could have been lessened with earlier detection. Today we are going to talk about oral cancer symptoms and the types spots that those screening for oral cancer symptoms are looking for. MD Anderson Cancer Center offers an excellent resource for information on oral cancer.
There are three types of suspicious spots: Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia and Erythroleukoplakia. Below is information from MD Anderson on the types of areas that raise concern when oral cancer screenings are being conducted and oral cancer symptoms to look for:
Suspicious Areas:
Leukoplakia is a white area or spot in the oral cavity. About 25% of leukoplakias are cancerous or precancerous.
Erythroplakia is a red, raised area or spot that bleeds if scraped. About 70% of erythroplakias are cancerous or precancerous.
Erythroleukoplakia is a spot with both red and white areas.
- Sore in the mouth or throat that doesn’t heal
- Loose teeth
- Lump or thickening in the neck, face, jaw, cheek, tongue or gums
- Difficulty swallowing or the sensation that something is caught in the throat
- Earache or sore throat that does not go away
- Dentures that cause discomfort or do not fit well
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw
- Persistent bad breath
- Unexplained weight loss
- Change in voice
A person who is experiencing these oral cancer symptoms does not necessarily have oral cancer. However, as early detection is critical to increased survival rate, it is important to have an oral cancer scan conducted by your dentist in order to ensure health. Many dentists are beginning to make oral cancer screening a routine part of patient appointments. Check with your dentist to learn if it is a part of your appointment and request a screening if not.
Oral Cancer Kills One Person, Every Hour, Every Day
The below excerpt on Oral Cancer comes from a Press Release from Identafi 3000 titled: AAOMS 91st Annual Meeting in Toronto Oct. 15-17 – Offers Opportunity for Identafi 3000 Ultra Demo
Oral cancer kills one person, every hour, every day, Trzeciak observed.
“Oral cancer is typically detected by a doctor, not a dentist, by which time it is usually a late-stage diagnosis,” he said. “In fact, 40 percent of those diagnosed with oral cancer will be dead in five years and 78 percent diagnosed with Stage IV, late-stage cancer will be dead in five years. Early detection of oral cancer would improve the survival rate to 80 to 90 percent.” He noted that fewer than 15 percent of those who visit a dentist get screened regularly; rarely is the best available technology used.
“When you look at the five-year mortality rate for oral cancer, it’s scary,” Trzeciak said. “Oral cancer is more deadly than the more familiar cancers: breast, cervical, and prostate, and also more deadly than liver, kidney, thyroid, or colon cancers.”
Oral Cancer Technology: Identafi
The focus of this article is the Identafi technology and its effectiveness for finding oral cancers. Recently, a free oral cancer screening was held at Saratoga Race Course in Houston. Using the technology they were able to find a case of oral cancer.
“You have a lot of people who come from all over the country, especially to Saratoga,
who haven’t been to a dentist,” Dr. Robert Trager said. “Even the ones who have been
to a dentist still don’t realize what oral cancer is and how deadly the threat can be.”As with all cancer, early detection is a key point of survival. New technology like the Identafi makes early detection even more likely. For dentists looking for a new piece of technology to benefit their patients, please click on the icon to the lift for the complete article.
Oral Cancer from Both Sides
The below article was written by Lawrence A. Hamburg, DDS. Dr. Hamurg is a dentist that was diagnosed with oral cancer. He states in the article:
There are many ways to learn, but I wish I had not had to learn firsthand the experience of Stage IV oral cancer. Seventy-eight percent of those diagnosed with Stage IV oral cancer are dead within five years. I’m lucky. I’m in remission.
Like Lou Gehrig, I feel I’m the luckiest man on the face of the earth — or, as I wrote in the Feb. 6, 2008 issue of Newslweek, ‘The luckiest person coming out of the 10th floor at Beth Israel’s head and neck cancer ward.’
Two years ago I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Fortunately, I was able to save my tongue and vocal chords. I firmly believe I was spared so that I could speak to you, my fellow dentists, and convey a first-person message of how critical it is for you to screen your patients for this dreaded disease.
For the full article, click the PDF image to the left.
“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.” – The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation
Detection of Oral Cancer
For those of you who enjoy case studies and learning how those in the medical field are coming to conclusions regarding early detection of oral cancer, below is an article with a medical case study. On page 4, the article states:
Increasing need for additional non-invasive tests to augment conventional white light
oral examination has driven the development of various real-time light-induced
fluorescence visualization devices for detection and delineation of potentially
malignant oral lesions.
“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.” – The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation
Oral Cancer Screening: The Optical Exam for Oral Cancer
In an effort to continue to provide up to date information on what is going on in the fight against oral cancer, below is an article written by By Mark Nichols, DDS. Mark Nichols is the Vice President of Clinical Affairs for Bering Omega Dental Clinic. Bering Omega is the only clinic that is dedicated (and free) to HIV/AIDS patience. Their work is truly remarkable.
Working in with high risk patients means that for them to have the best screening equipment when patients arrive with lesions is critical to early detection. This article discusses the type of screening equipment they are using to enable early detection.
Click on the icon below for the complete article on the Optical Exam.
“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.” – The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation
Shine the Light on Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is killing one person every day and this article, appropriately named, shines a light on oral cancer. Unfortunately, although the risk is high and the number of diagnosed cases are rising, the entire dental care community has not been making oral cancer screening a priority. There are many new technologies that are available for accurate oral cancer screenings, and yet this article points out that only 9% of dentists plan on purchasing a VELscope cancer screening system within the next year. This should raise concern. Why are more dentists not taking oral cancer screenings more seriously? You can view the complete icon below for the complete PDF “Shine the Light on Oral Cancer.”
