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Tests

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, procedures for diagnosing head and neck cancers may include the following:

• Endoscopic Ultrasound

  This exam uses a long, thin, flexible tube called an endoscope with a light at the end. It is put in through the nose so the doctor can get a close look at the inside of your nasal cavity, the back of your nose, throat, and voice box. A special tool on the endoscope is used by the doctor to remove samples of suspicious tissue.

• Computed Tomography (CT or CAT Scan)

  In this test, an X-ray beam takes a series of pictures of the inside of your body from many angles. These images are then combined by a computer, giving a detailed 3-D picture of your body. The CT scan can be used to check the head and neck and is sometimes used to evaluate the chest, too.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  This test uses magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body to look for cancer in the neck.

• Biopsy

  A biopsy, taking a sample of the suspicious tissue, is the only sure way to know if you have cancer. The sample is checked by a pathologist who looks at the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. The biopsy is removed from the primary tumor site in the head/neck area. If the suspicious area is a lump or lymph node on your neck, your doctor uses a very thin needle in a process called fine needle aspiration to see if there are cancer cells in your lymph node.

• Nasoscopy

• A procedure to look inside the nose for abnormal areas. A nasoscope is inserted into the nose. This is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. A special tool on the nasoscope may be used to remove samples of tissue. The tissues samples are viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer.

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

  This test measures metabolic activity in your body tissue.   Radioactive material in small amounts is injected into a vein. The radioactive material is seen in the images as highlighted places where cancer cells could be growing. 

• Chest X-ray or Chest CT Scan

  This X-ray helps us to see cancer cells that spread to your lungs.