 
Early Cancer Detection Program
Lung Fluorescence Endoscopy Effective treatment of lung cancer depends on detection and localization. Early bronchogenic carcinoma and moderate or severe dysplasia may go untreated because they exhibit little visual difference from normal tissue when examined with white light bronchoscopy. The Xillix LIFE-Lung Fluorescence Endoscopy SystemJ, as an adjunct to white light bronchoscopy, significantly improves the physician=s ability to identify and locate suspicious tissue by utilizing autofluorescence -- the natural ability of tissue to fluoresce when exposed to a specific wavelength of light. No drugs are used to achieve this effect. The system captures the difference in the fluorescence signals between normal and abnormal tissue and provides real-time video and digital still images on the monitor, clearly identifying suspicious tissue for biopsy and final diagnosis. Bronchoscopically positive lesions typically appear as focal or delineated reddish brown. A large multi-center study has shown that the fluorescence endoscopy system, when used as an adjunct to white light bronchoscopy in patients with known or suspected cancer, improved the physician=s ability to identify moderate or severe dysplasia or malignancy, compared with white light bronchoscopy alone. On a per-patient basis, detection improved from 37 to 75 percent, and on a per-lesion basis, detection improved from 25 to 67 percent. The system is indicated for use as an adjunct to white light bronchoscopy in patients with known or previously diagnosed lung cancer and patients with suspected lung cancer, including patients with Stage I completely resected lung cancer with no evidence of metastatic disease who are at risk for secondary disease and patients suspected of having lung cancer because of clinical symptoms, such as positive sputum cytology, hemoptysis, unresolved pneumonia, persistent cough or positive X-ray. HOME
| WHAT'S NEW | PROGRAMS & SERVICES |