Introduction. Identification of potentially malignant oral lesions and a timely detection of oral cancer represent essential methods for improving the evolution of this disease. Materials and methods. On-line (PUBMED [MEDLINE] and SCIENCE DIRECT) databases have been consulted to find relevant studies demonstrating the efficiency of two light-based oral cancer screening techniques. 15 articles (published between 2007 and 2017) have been selected: 9 utilised VELscope and 6 ViziLite/Microlux TM/ DL. Results and discussion. VELscope sensitivity varied from 22% to 100%, and specificity – from 8.4% to 96.3%, respectively. The values of the sensitivity of examination using chemiluminescent devices were recorded within an interval of 67%-100%, while specificity was recorded over the 10%-100% interval. Conclusions. VELscope, Microlux/DL and ViziLite devices can be successfully used in noninvasive oral cancer screening techniques as supporting methods to conventional examination, but they cannot replace the golden standard set by the biopsy and histopathological exam.
Keywords:- autofluorescence
- chemi-luminescence.
- oral cancer.
- screening