Autofluorescence-Based Devices for Oral Cancer Screening - A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Oral oncology
• Diagnostic imaging
• Clinical diagnostics

Background:

• Oral cancer (OSCC) and potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) pose diagnostic challenges, impacting prognosis.
• Late detection of OSCC/OPMDs leads to poor outcomes and high treatment morbidity.
• Autofluorescence devices (GOCCLES, OralID) aim to enhance conventional oral examination (COE).

Purpose of the Study:

• To map evidence on GOCCLES and OralID diagnostic performance and clinical utility.
• To characterize study populations, clinical contexts, and outcomes for these devices.
• To evaluate their role in diagnosing OSCC and OPMDs.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and PCC framework.
• Systematic search of major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar) from 1996-2026.
• Data extraction and narrative synthesis of 13 included studies (577 participants).

Main Results:

• GOCCLES showed low sensitivity (33-66%) and variable specificity (40-90.6%).
• OralID demonstrated high sensitivity (74-100%) but low specificity (18-89%).
• Both devices showed utility in perioperative margin delineation and biopsy site selection, but with limitations like false positives and hyperkeratosis interference.

Conclusions:

• GOCCLES and OralID are best used as adjuncts to COE, not standalone screening tools.
• Their value lies in guiding biopsies and intraoperative margins, not routine screening.
• Further research needs standardized protocols and clearer clinical context definitions.