Clinical Studies

early detection saves lives

The VELscope® system is based on direct fluorescence visualization of the oral mucosa and when used together with the traditional comprehensive oral examination, enhances the ability of the clinician to visualize oral abnormalities, even ones that may not be visible or apparent to the naked eye.

Autofluorescence-based tissue visualization, which is backed by over $50 million in research funded by the NIH and other respected organizations, has been used in other medical applications for over two decades. VELscope represents the first and most widely used oral application of this technology and has had numerous papers and case studies published supporting its ability to help discover oral mucosal abnormalities, including oral cancer and pre-cancer.

Highlighted Case Study

Srubar J, Uhrikova T, Delongova P. Atypical carcinoma detected after regression of a “benign” oral white lesion. A case report. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2021 Jun;165(2):229-232.

See excerpt below:

“Case report: Here, however, we present the case of a patient (female, 56, smoker) in whom we detected a smoker’s lesion which regressed completely, without any signs of abnormality or malignity. The only shadow of a doubt that led us to inviting her for another examination was an additional examination using a VELscope® autofluorescence device that revealed autofluorescence suppression on the site of the former lesion. Another examination one month later revealed a patch of epithelium with a normal color but a negligibly different light reflection in the center of the former lesion; VELscope® indicated the questionable area to still be suspect. Following excision using margins indicated by VELscope® (+2-3 mm), histopathology revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. The secondary excision was carcinoma free and even after 5 years, the carcinoma has not recurred.”

Featured Publications

Tiwari L, Kujan O, Farah CS. Optical fluorescence imaging in oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders: A systematic review. Oral Dis. 2019;00:1–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.13071

Huff KD et al: Sensitivity of direct tissue fluorescence visualization in screening for oral premalignant lesions in general practice. Gen Dent. 2009 Jan-Feb; 57(1):34-8.

Laronde et al: Influence of fluorescence on screening decisions for oral mucosal lesions in community dental practices. J Oral Pathol Med 2013 May;

Truelove E et al: Narrow band (light) imaging of oral mucosa in routine dental patients. Part I: Assessment of value in detection of mucosal changes. Gen Dent. 2010 Jul-Aug; 281

Huff KD et al: Sensitivity of direct tissue fluorescence visualization in screening for oral premalignant lesions in general practice. Gen Dent. 2009 Jan-Feb; 57(1):34-8.

Huff KD et al: A novel, minimally invasive approach to managing mild epithelial dysplasia. Gen Dent. 2010 Mar-Apr; 58(2):126-9.

Poh CF et al: Direct fluorescence visualization of clinically occult high-risk oral premalignant disease using a simple hand-held device. Head Neck 2006 Nov; 28(11)

Lane PM et al: Simple device for the direct visualization of oral cavity tissue fluorescence. J Biomed Opt. 2006 Mar-Apr; 11(2):024006

Kordbacheh F, Bhatia N, Farah CS: Patterns of differentially expressed genes in oral mucosal lesions visualised under autofluorescence (VELscope(™)). Oral Dis. 2016 May;22(4):285-96

Williams PW et al: Evaluation of a suspicious oral mucosal lesion. J Can Dent Assoc. 2008; 74(3): 275-80

Kois JC & Truelove E: Detecting oral cancer – a new technique and case reports. Dentistry Today, October 2006; 25(10): 94-97

Scheer M, Neugebauer J, Derman A, et al: Autofluorescence imaging of potentially malignant mucosa lesions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 2011, May;111(5):568-77

Camile S. Farah, Lidija McIntosh, Anastasia Georgiou: Efficacy of tissue autofluorescence imaging (velscope) in the visualization of oral mucosal lesions. HEAD & NECK—DOI 10.1002/hed June 2012

Rana M, Zapf A, Kuehle M, Gellrich NC, Eckardt AM: Clinical evaluation of an autofluorescence diagnostic device for oral cancer detection: a prospective randomized diagnostic study. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2012, Sep;21(5):460-6.

Marzouki HZ, Tuong Vi Vu T, Ywakim R, Chauvin P, Hanley J, Kost KM: Use of fluorescent light in detecting malignant and premalignant lesions in the oral cavity: a prospective, single-blind study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Jun 1;41(3):164-8

Bhatia N, Matias MA, Farah CS: Assessment of a decision making protocol to improve the efficacy of VELscope™ in general dental practice: a prospective evaluation. Oral Oncol. 2014 Oct;50(10):1012-9

Sawan D and Mashlah A: Evaluation of premalignant and malignant lesions by fluorescent light (VELscope). J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2015 May-Jun; 5(3): 248–254.

Natural Tissue Fluorescence for the Detection of Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions

De Veld DCG et al: The status of in vivo autofluorescence spectroscopy and imaging for oral oncology. Oral Oncol. 2005 Feb; 41(2): 117-31

Svistun E et al: Vision enhancement system for detection of oral cavity neoplasia based on autofluorescence. Head Neck. 2004 Mar; 26(3): 205-15

Utzinger U et al: Optimal visual perception and detection of oral cavity neoplasia. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2003 Mar; 50(3): 396-9

Heintzelman DL et al: Optimal excitation wavelengths for in vivo detection of oral neoplasia using fluorescence spectroscopy. Photochem Photobiol 2000; (72)1: 103–113

Betz CS et al: Autofluorescence imaging and spectroscopy of normal and malignant mucosa in patients with head and neck cancer. Lasers Surg Med. 1999; 25(4): 323-34

Ingrams DR et al: Autofluorescence characteristics of oral mucosa. Head Neck 1997; (19)1: 27–32

Fluorescence Visualization–Guided Surgery

Poh, CF et al: Fluorescence Visualization–Guided Surgery for Early-Stage Oral Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;142(3):209-216. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2015.3211

Poh CF et al: Fluorescence visualization detection of field alterations in tumor margins of oral cancer patients. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12(22): 6716-6722

Poh C, et al: Tracing the “At-Risk” Oral Mucosa Field with Autofluorescence: Steps Toward Clinical Impact. Cancer Prev Res, May 2009

Farah, C. S., Kordbacheh, F., et al: Molecular classification of autofluorescence excision margins in oral potentially malignant disorders. Oral Diseases, 24(5), 732-740

April 12, 2023