Oral Cancer Screening

About Oral Cancer

Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%

Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.

THE DEADLY STATISTICS

• Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer.
• The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years.
• The death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or ovary.
• More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, only 57% will still be alive.
• 27% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors.

Identafi 3000 as part of a comprehensive oral screening

The deep penetrating power of the Identafi® multiple wavelengths will enhance the early detection of mucosal abnormalities that may be cancerous.

The new Identafi® 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® is Multi-Spectral with three distinct color wavelengths, making it easier to distinguish lesion morphology and vasculature aiding the dental professional in determining next steps.

 How Identafi 3000 Works:

The Identafi® uses white, violet and amber wavelengths of light to excite oral tissue in distinct and unique ways. As a result, biochemical changes can be monitored with fluorescence, while morphological changes can be monitored with reflectance. The combined system of fluorescence and reflectance uses the body's natural tissue properties as an adjunctive tool for oral mucosal examination. Conventional examination of tissue is performed using a highly concentrated White light.

Wearing reusable Identafi® filtered eyewear to enhance visual effects and allow transmission of reflected light, the health professional then switches to Violet for a second observation.

The clinician's photosensitive glasses block the violet excitation light and allow the observance of the tissues natural fluorescence. Violet light enhances normal tissue's natural fluorescence; however, suspicious tissue appears dark because of its loss of fluorescence.

When suspect abnormalities are present the selector is switched to Amber light, which enhances normal tissue's reflectance properties so the clinician may directly observe the difference between normal and abnormal tissue's vasculature. This independent view of vascular architecture may assist in the assessment of confounders when screening for oral cancer.

Studies indicate abnormal tissue has a diffuse vasculature, where normal tissue vasculature is clearly defined. The combination of all three Multi-Spectral wavelengths provides the clinician with more visual information, improved results over direct visual exam alone and increased confidence for recommending biopsies.

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