Autofluorescence visualization of the oral malignant lesions

Abstract

The aim of the present paper was to observe the main features of the autofluorescence emission of the oral epithelial carcinomas. The study included four patients aged 38-61 years with the oral epithelial carcinomas located at a cheek, a floor of the mouth, a bottom lip. All the diagnoses were later confirmed histologically. The oral cavity was inspected traditionally and then using autofluorescence visualization. For autofluorescence emission excitation we used the home-made LED-based device emitting near 400 nm. The tissue autofluorescence was visualized in the broad and narrow spectral bands. In comparison with the healthy mucosa the pathological lesions showed the large losses of the green autofluorescence emissions ("dark sport effect") which have been visualized at both spectral bands. The visualization in the broad spectral band allowed to reveal that three lesions had the local sites of red fluorescence of the endogenous porphyrins traditionally connected with the local inflammation. Autofluorescence stomatoscopy is not only important but also mandatory for oncological screening and should be widely used as the additional method of oral mucosa examination in the common dental practice.