Identafi Oral Cancer Screening

Deadly - and strangely silent in our society - Oral Cancer is growing at an alarming rate - over 11% in 2007 in the United States alone.

The five-year mortality rate of Oral Cancer is higher than, cervical cancer and prostate cancer, and kills one person every hour of every day.

Why are we not speaking about it?
Why are we not screening for it at every visit?
Why are we not detecting it earlier - when the cure rates are 80-90 percent?

Because the signs and symptoms of oral cancer are often missed by the naked eye. Identafi® with its Identafi® technology allows those on the front line of detection to do just that - identify biochemical and morphological changes in cells of the mouth, throat, tongue and tonsils.

Dentists, Hygienists, Periodontists, Oral Surgeons, Primary Care Physicians and Otolaryngologists now have the technology to detect morphological and biochemical changes which may lead to oral cancer and potentially save lives, thanks to the Identafi® system.

Identafi® Multi-Spectral, Oral Cancer 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 It 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.

Signs & Symptoms

Oral Cancer frequently has no symptoms; however, when symptoms do occur, the most common include:

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