ViziLite and Oral Cancer Early Detection

Any thoughts on Zila´s ViziLite Oral Cancer screening device? Has anybody used this? How does this compare to other oral cancer screening tests?

Of note is that Zila, Inc. manufacturer and marketer of ViziLite(R) Plus, recently announced that it has reached an agreement where CIGNA Dental, one of the nation’s leading dental insurance carriers, now covers the ViziLite Plus exam in some of its plans. ViziLite Plus is the most advanced technology in the marketplace for early detection of oral abnormalities that could lead to cancer.

Zila’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Douglas D. Burkett said, “CIGNA Dental’s coverage of our ViziLite Plus exam in some of its plans, coupled with the growing demand for ViziLite Plus nationwide, validates the enormous potential of this product and our pipeline of products for the early detection of oral cancer. As early detection technologies like mammograms, Pap smears, and PSAs have increased the survival rates over the years for people with breast, cervical and prostate cancer, ViziLite Plus is quickly establishing itself as THE early detection technology for oral cancer, now the sixth deadliest cancer worldwide based on survival rates.”

“There are several reasons people don’t get cancer screening,” said Scottsdale, Arizona dentist Paul Douglas. “They don’t know about the exam, they think it will hurt, they fear the results or they can’t afford it. Dentists are getting more involved in telling their patients about oral cancer and associated risks. We’re showing how quick and simple the ViziLite Plus exam is. We’re explaining the upside of early detection. And now, with CIGNA coverage available, we’re able to provide the ViziLite Plus test, which normally costs around $65, at no or just minimal added cost. One American dies every hour from oral cancer. By putting a new light on this disease, maybe we can conquer oral cancer.”

What are your thoughts?

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Comments

2 Responses to “ViziLite and Oral Cancer Early Detection”

  1. LCM on March 15th, 2006 7:33 am

    What is the positive & negative predictive value of VizLite?
    I would wait for this - RNA test on salive might be more predictive/accurate.
    http://www.mydna.com/health/oral/news/news_20060309_oral_cancer_saliva_test.html

  2. Anonymous on March 29th, 2006 8:44 am

    I had a few questions about the ViziLite that were answered by their representatives at a major dental meeting, and they were answered to my satisfaction. The 1% raspberry flavored acetic acid rinse, is just that, a rinse to clean the tissue. I was told it does not contain any “activators” of any kind. Next, I was curious about the wavelength of the chemoluminescent light. It turns out that it is the same wavelength as a composite curing light! So, this test is already available to most dentists without the cost of any special supplies. You could use plain 1% acetic acid by diluting white vinegar from the food store, which starts out as 5% acetic acid, and shining the composite curing light on it. You’ve already got a curing light so all you need is a bottle of vinegar and water from the faucet. Use one part vinegar and four parts water to make a 1% solution. It really doesn’t taste bad unflavored.

    I have not tested it yet, but I am willing to bet you could also use a diluted solution of lemon juice as an acidifed rinse to accomplish the same thing if you wanted a different flavor.

    I do believe that the principles in using the ViziLite are valid, but can be accomplished in a simpler manner.

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