The VELscope (Visually Enhanced Lesion Scope) is currently being marketed to general dentists. Advertisements claim that this handheld device visually enhances a clinician’s ability to detect oral cancer. The technology is based on the premise that normal cells will glow when exposed to fluorescent light, whereas abnormal cells (not necessarily only cancer or precancerous cells) will absorb fluorescent light and appear dark. The light-reflecting property of normal cells and the light-absorbing property of abnormal cells allow visual distinction of the two.

Autore
Ben Balevi, BEng, DDS, Dip EBHC (Oxford), MSc