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fiannotti@planningsource.comWHNT-TV Reports New Test to Detect Oral Cancer Being Used in the Shoals — By Dentist L. Don Wilson
Dr. Wilson Says Oral Cancer is "Contagious Cancer" Due to HPV Transmitted Through Sexual Contact
FLORENCE, ALABAMA, May 3, 2010 — In the eight months since Dr. L. Don Wilson has been using the world's most advanced oral cancer detection device — Identafi® 3000 ultra from Trimira® LLC of Houston — he already has diagnosed two patients in the early stages of oral cancer, according to a TV news report on a station in the Shoals.
"On Monday, April 19, the nationally syndicated Dr. Oz Show featured this new oral cancer test," Wilson said. "Never before in dentistry have we had such technology to assist us in the early diagnosis of oral cancer." He is confident Identafi 3000 ultra will help him spot many more cases, he added, "before the damage is done."
Reporter Mary Stackhouse's interview with Wilson for the CBS affiliate WHNT-TV Channel 19 in Huntsville, Alabama, aired on the 5 PM news the same day as Dr. Oz.
New Test to Detect Oral Cancer Being Used in the Shoals
http://www.whnt.com/videobeta/c1463993-6700-447a-a5ef-8ed796a48a2f/News/New-Test-to-Detect-Oral-Cancer-Being-Used-in-the-ShoalsStackhouse reported that while most cancers are on the decline, oral cancer is skyrocketing among people under the age of 40. "We're seeing a 500 percent increase among young people under 40 with no history that would contribute to it," Wilson said, "and that's a really scary thing."
The death rate for oral cancer is now higher than that of such cancers as cervical, thyroid, Hodgkin's lymphoma, testicular, laryngeal, or skin, i.e., malignant melanoma.
"Approximately 40 percent of the patients diagnosed with oral cancer do not and have not smoked, used smokeless tobacco, or have a history of drinking alcohol in excess," Wilson noted. The Florence dentist explained that an oral cancer screening is quick, painless, and accurate. "It only takes about five minutes and costs thirty dollars."
He pointed out that most cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in late stages because very few patients are properly screened.
"Early detection of oral cancer would improve the survival rate to 80-90 percent — but there has been little improvement in the survival rate over the past 40 years," he said.
Wilson noted that the oral cancer increase in the younger demographic is due to the sexual transmission from one person to another — particularly through oral sex — of the human papilloma virus, namely HPV-16 and -18, making it the "contagious cancer."
Since last summer he has used Identafi 3000 ultra to diagnose two cases of squamous cell cancer, two cases of pre-cancerous lesions, and a benign, but serious, jugular glomerulus case. "I suggest everyone over the age of 17 be screened, so share that advice with a friend," Wilson said. "It's sure easier than a colonoscopy."
Trimira VP Jerry S. Trzeciak explained that HPV-related oral cancer lesions tend to occur in the back of the throat, base of the tongue, and tonsillar pillars. "Hence the need for a device which can detect cancer and pre-cancer that's invisible to the naked eye."
"Identafi 3000 ultra is very reliable," Wilson said. "Any tissue that is abnormal will be revealed by its white, green-amber, and violet wavelengths of light."
Identafi 3000 ultra's patented "multispectral" imaging technology (triple-wavelength spectroscopy) was developed in collaboration with The University of Texas, Rice University, and British Columbia Cancer Research Centre in Vancouver, Canada.
Trzeciak said that adjunctive technology like oral cancer detection devices should be used in conjunction with the American Dental Association's recommended conventional visual and tactile examination of the head, neck, and oral cavity. He added that the gold standard of ascertaining whether a patient has oral cancer continues to be the biopsy.
"Of course, it is not practical to do regular biopsies on all dental patients when actually only 10 percent of them have something that is of concern," Trzeciak said.
Trzeciak explained that Identafi 3000 ultra delivers a higher degree of clinical accuracy and confidence to dentists and other users, which translates into better patient care. Unlike other methods, Identafi 3000 ultra pinpoints biochemical and morphological changes in cells of the mouth, throat, tongue, and tonsils. The device's violet wavelength capability was cited in the May 2009 issue of Cancer Prevention Research, the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, as the best excitation wavelength to discriminate between neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissue areas.
About Dr. L. Don Wilson
Dr L. Don Wilson is a 1978 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. Wilson has been in private practice for 30 years. He just recently opened his newest practice, "Signature Smile," in Florence, Alabama. He is a trained instructor and routine user of both the Er,Cr:YSGG and diode lasers.
Wilson holds the standard proficiency and advanced proficiency certification, as well as educator status through the Academy of Laser Dentistry and associate fellowship within the World Clinical Laser Institute. He has authored several articles on laser dentistry, including laser practice management articles for Dental Economics and The Incisal Edge. He is also the featured clinician in training DVDs for Laser Dentistry, Group Practice, and the Identafi 3000 ultra oral cancer screening device.
Wilson has been a featured speaker in such venues as The Star of the South Dental Meeting, the Mid South Dental Congress, the Northern Virginia Dental Society, International Meeting of the Academy of Laser Dentistry, and the WCLI Super Symposium. He has conducted more than 300 seminars in 26 states with a greater than 95 percent "excellent" rating by attendees.
For several years, Wilson has served as one of the featured speakers for laser training at the renowned Las Vegas Institute. He is also the director of laser dentistry at the acclaimed Nash Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.
About Trimira LLC
Trimira LLC is a private capital-funded company, with investment by Dallas cancer research philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, of oil and windfarming fame. Other Trimira sister subsidiaries are working on screening and diagnostic devices for skin, cervical, gastrointestinal, and bladder cancers. Remicalm®, as the parent company, has licensed exclusive use of certain of its patents and patents pending for use as a cervical cancer product to be later expanded to include additional epithelial-based cancers. Remicalm's core technologies are based on high-speed, high-resolution capabilities from its patented optical processing technology platforms and include the ability to read metabolic and physiologic differences in diseased and healthy tissue in the human body.
Visit Trimira® at: http://www.trimira.net/
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