Oral cancer is an emerging epidemic which is amenable for screening with minimal resource. It is the third most common cancer affecting Indian males.  Early detection of oral cancer can improve the five year survival rate, reduce the morbidity associated with treatment and also prevent recurrence to 10–20%. Oral cancer is often preceded by dysplastic oral mucosal conditions which have potential for malignant transformation.  Conventionally, the diagnosis is done by histopathologic evaluation of biopsy specimen which is invasive and causes severe patient discomfort. Hence it cannot be done as a routine screening test and is advised only when there is a strong clinical suspicion of malignant transformation. Non-invasive screening modalities for early identification of the cancer and oral dysplastic conditions are the need of the hour.  Novel light emitting device under study is a non -invasive, user friendly, low cost device which aims to guide the clinicians in assessing the early dysplastic oral mucosal areas. If tested useful and effective, this device can be a useful adjunct in screening the general population, especially the high risk category, on a regular basis. As it is non-invasive, it is more patient compliant and can be helpful in patient education as well.  The present study intends to test the reliability and validity of a  novel non-invasive screening tool for oral cancer.

Subjects will be screened in the department of oral medicine and radiology and eligible participants would be enrolled into the trial. Only conditions which have biopsy as a standard of care would be recruited in the study and control group. After the consent, the participant would be evaluated with the help of novel light emitting device and pictures of the oral cavity would be captured under UV, white light and narrow band light of the various areas of interest. This would be followed by biopsy and suture placement. A brief history which included age, gender, patients habits if any, frequency and duration, and symptoms will also be recorded. Based on the biopsy report, patients will be counseled by the clinicians as and when required for further modalities of treatment.