VELSCOPE: A New Outlook Toward Advancing Technology in Early Oral Cancer Detection – A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Oral cancer continues to be a significant global health issue, particularly in poorer countries, where people experience high rates of death and serious physical, emotional and social issues due to delayed diagnosis. By far, the most frequent form of oral cancer is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which can be caused by several avoidable risk factors, including drinking alcohol, smoking and chewing areca nut. In children, the aetiology of oral mucosal changes is different than that of adults. The best way to improve cancer survival rates and reduce the level of treatment-related morbidity, is to diagnose the condition early. Currently, oral cancer diagnosis is based on conventional oral examination (COE), which limits the ability of the operator to detect subtle or early changes in oral mucosal texture; however, adjunctive diagnostic procedures like tissue autofluorescence devices (such as the VELscope) can provide quick, non-invasive means of enhancing the visualization of abnormal oral mucosa. In this study, in addition to describing standard and other diagnostic methods, the authors will provide a review of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of oral cancer and evaluate the workings of VELscope, including its application, clinical usefulness and limitations. The VELscope presents an improvement in lesion visualization, but does not possess enough accuracy to differentiate among benign, at-risk and malignant lesions. However, coupling the VELscope with AI-based analysis and newer diagnostic technologies may improve accuracy and facilitate early diagnosis, as well as effective monitoring of oral mucosa lesions.