VELscope Oral Cancer Screening
Dr. Clint Newman is constantly stressing the importance of undergoing a VELscope® oral cancer screening (especially for tobacco users), impressing on his patients the value of the results from such a test, whether positive or negative. He hopes that his utilization of VELscope® will help the Nashville, TN, community better understand the risks of oral cancer and take the necessary precautions to keep their mouths in good health.
What Is VELscope?
VELscope® is the most powerful FDA-approved tool for aiding the discovery of mucosal abnormalities that may signal oral pre-cancer or cancer. Used in tandem with a more conventional head and neck exam, the VELscope® delivers Dr. Newman’s Nashville patients with quick and accurate visual information that cannot be acquired any other way.
The non-invasive handheld VELscope® emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity, exciting natural fluorescent macromolecules. By blocking the reflected blue light, the VELscope® filter enhances the contrast between normal and abnormal tissue.
Benefits of VELscope
Unfortunately, oral cancer is often discovered in the late stages when the prognosis for the patient is poor. The early recognition of abnormal tissue adds significant value to the VELscope® since the appropriate treatment for such abnormalities can enhance care and improve the quality of the patients’ life. Estimating that 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year alone, the Oral Cancer Foundation notes that only 50 percent of those people will still be alive in five years. Research shows that early diagnosis pushes the five-year survival rate to an astonishing 80 percent.
Dr. Newman has the capabilities to aid the fight against cancer. It is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early with VELscope®. Dr. Newman has the skills and tools to ensure that pre-cancerous conditions and early signs of cancer are identified when the opportunity for a cure is greatest. In one to two minutes, a combination of a VELscope® examination and traditional oral cancer screenings can help assess your overall oral health. It is important to know the early signs of oral cancer and to see your dentist regularly.
The Potential of VELscope
A recent study at the University of Washington used VELscope® to uncover a number of mucosal abnormalities that went undetected by the conventional exam. Furthermore, because the VELscope® is not a diagnostic tool, it does not generate “false positives,” when a diagnostic test incorrectly signals the presence of disease.
The UW study exposed new uses for the VELscope® as well, finding that it was a powerful tool in discovering viral, fungal, and bacterial infections, inflammation, and salivary gland tumors.
The non-invasive handheld VELscope® emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity, exciting natural fluorescent macromolecules. By blocking the reflected blue light, the VELscope® filter enhances the contrast between normal and abnormal tissue.
In the Case of a Suspicious Finding
If an abnormality is discovered during the course of an oral cancer screening, Dr. Newman will take the necessary steps to determine its cause based on all of the oral assessment information. You and he will discuss the treatment process thoroughly, and appropriate action will be taken. Two to three weeks later, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to see if the abnormality has resolved. Persistent oral lesions require further assessment that normally includes biopsy or additional diagnostic evaluation.
Contact Us
To take advantage of the techniques of a well-trained and highly skilled dentist and technologies such as the VELscope®, please contact Dr. Newman’s practice online or call (615) 385-3507. It is never too soon to undergo an oral cancer screening using the latest tools at our Nashville, TN, dental office.
