CDx Diagnostics recently launched an enhanced, second-generation, version of its powerful OralCDx test, OralCDx², for the detection of oral pre-cancer and cancer, at the annual scientific meetings of the American Association of Otolaryngology and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Dr. Wayne B. Eisman, MD, FACS, president of ENT and Allergy Associates, incorporated the use of the OralCDx² in his pratice. "It gives a practice another modality to be able to offer a more comprehensive service as the monitor of the oral cavity for early lesions that if found will result in early treatment and better results," he said. "It is fast and safe, which fits well with the high volumes of patients that most physicians are seeing on a regular basis."

The enhanced test is the result of clinical experience with over 500,000 computer-assisted OralCDx oral brush biopsies, 10 years of correlative experience with matching scalpel biopsies, and the inclusion of biomarkers, cell cycle analysis, and HPV testing, all of which is correlated with the presence of abnormal cellular morphology.

"The product is well received by patients as it obviates the need for extensive bioposies of what are generally benign lesions that have the potential to change and get out of hand," Dr. Eisman said. "Just checking up on these things gives patients confidence that they are getting good care."

Dr. Eisman compared the early detection and awareness of oral cancer to that of checking for skin cancer or cervical cancer. People are aware of the regular exams necessary for detection of these cancers, and oral cancer should be added to people's regular screening.

“People already know that to prevent skin cancer they need to examine themselves regularly for moles, and as the PAP smear served as the basis of delivering early diagnosis for cervical cancer, so will testing for oral cancer if done whenever an oral lesion is seen," he said.

The central benefit of OralCDx² is an increase in the proportion of oral lesions for which a specific diagnosis can be made to 98% of all cases. In addition to providing a definitive laboratory report, OralCDx² abnormal findings are accompanied with a telephonic consultation from the laboratory that provides specific follow-up and prognostic guidance based on the combination of morphologic and molecular findings.

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS, medical director of CDx Diagnostics, adds, "Oral cancer is typically preceded by a visible white or red tissue change which contain dysplastic cells that could transform into an oral cancer. The challenge is that upon careful examination over 10% of non-smoking and over 20% of smoking adults will be found to have a benign tissue change that cannot be clinically distinguished from one that is pre-cancerous. Only a biopsy of the entire thickness of the epithelium underlying the patient's white or red oral spot can determine that it is not pre-cancerous or cancerous.”

"I recommend this testing so that all physicians that might employ it can help with early diagnosis of oral lesions," Dr. Eisman said. " At this time, the vast majority of oral lesions are caught too late."

For additional information, visit oralcdx.