The diagnostic value of the native fluorescence visualization device for early detection of premalignant/malignant lesions of the oral cavity

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of a native fluorescence visualization device in the identification of oral malignant/dysplastic lesions.

Methods: This study involved 45 patients who had oral lesions that were suspected to be malignant, potentially malignant, or benign. The patients visited the Oral Medicine Department of the Mashhad Dental School. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratio of this device were determined.

Results: The histopathological assessment of samples showed 9 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma and 12 lesions with dysplasia. Ten samples of dysplastic lesions and all malignant lesions appeared dark or red/orange when examined with the native fluorescence visualization device. In 90% of the dysplastic/malignant lesions, the label-free fluorescence results were positive. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of this device were 90%, 15%, 40%, and 71%, respectively.

Conclusions: The native fluorescence visualization device can be used in specialized centers as an adjunctive device to increase the sensitivity of a clinical examination, but is not capable of distinguishing benign lesions from malignant and dysplastic ones due to its low specificity.

Keywords: Diagnostic adjunct; Early detection; Native flourescence; Oral malignant lesion; Oral premalignant lesion; VELscope.