What

Velscope is a wireless, handheld scope that uses fluorescence to allow doctors and clinicians to visualize oral abnormalities, including oral cancers, that might not be apparent or even visible to the naked eye.  It is a vital tool in the early detection and treatment of oral cancer.

 

Why

Oral health is vital to your overall health.  Early-stage oral cancer is often painless and can go undetected by the naked eye, thus in many cases oral cancer diagnosis often happens in the later stages of diseases (stages 3 or 4).  Early detection plays a vital role in positive patient outcome.  A VELscope screening is painless, non-invasive and takes minutes to complete.  It’s an easy way to make sure you stay healthy!

 

Who

Everyone is eligible for a VELscope screening.  There are about 54,000 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer diagnosed every year.  Many people assume that oral cancers are only prevalent in people that have a history of tobacco use or prolonged alcohol use.  However, there are many other causes and risk factors associated with oral cancers including HPV and genetic changes throughout your lifespan. 

 

Early symptoms of oral cancers can often mimic other, less serious issues.  If you have any of the following symptoms please contact our office to reserve your VELscope screening:

  • A sore on the lip or in the mouth that doesn't heal

  • Pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away

  • A lump or thickening in the lips, mouth, or cheek

  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth

  • A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in your throat that doesn’t go away

  • Trouble chewing or swallowing

  • Trouble moving the jaw or tongue

  • Numbness of the tongue, lip, or other area of the mouth

  • Swelling or pain in the jaw

  • Dentures that start to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

  • Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth

  • Voice changes

  • A lump or mass in the neck or back of the throat

  • Weight loss

  • Pain in the ear

 

Learn more about Oral Cancers here:  Oral Cavity & Oropharyngeal Cancer Key Statistics 2021

How

A VELscope screening is fast, painless, non-invasive procedure that takes only minutes. As usual, your dentist will perform a routine visual examination of the tongue, cheeks, and teeth. Once complete VELscope is positioned to project blue light into the mouth, making any abnormalities or other symptoms now noticeable to the naked eye. If anything is observed, a biopsy will be taken and sent out for review to determine a definitive diagnosis.

If any further testing is necessary, we will then study the report to determine the best course of action for you.  If no issues are detected, the examination should be performed again in one years time.

Velscope