Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will run tests that check the head and neck to determine if you have cancer and if it has spread (metastasized) elsewhere in the body. Tests may include: 

• Health history and physical exam: Your physician will check your overall physical health, particularly looking for signs of disease, like lumps. They’ll also review your past illnesses, treatments and health habits.
• Throat exam: The provider will feel for swollen lymph nodes in the neck and check your throat for abnormalities.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) takes X-rays of the body from different angles to create a three-dimensional image that shows tumors or abnormalities. Sometimes ink or dye is swallowed or injected into the vein so tissues and organs show up clearly on the scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive sugar substance is injected into the body. Cells that use the most energy, such as cancer cells, absorb more of this substance than other cells. Then, a scanner creates images of your organs and tissues. Sometimes PET and CT scans are done together.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays to create images of the inside of the body, such as the neck, head, chest and lymph nodes. An MRI can also help your doctor measure the size of the tumor.
• Endoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to the end into your mouth or another opening in the body. The scope is guided into your throat to check for abnormal areas.
• Laryngoscopy: A procedure where the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end to check your larynx (voice box) for abnormalities.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area of the body. This tissue is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A biopsy is the only way to make an official cancer diagnosis.
• Barium swallow: An X-ray of the esophagus. Before the X-ray, you’ll be asked to drink a liquid that contains barium, which coats the esophagus while X-rays are taken.
• Bone scan: A procedure to check for cancer cells in the bones. A small amount of radioactive chemical is injected into the vein and collects in the bones with cancer cells. These cells are detected by a scanner.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will run tests that check the head and neck to determine if you have cancer and if it has spread (metastasized) elsewhere in the body. Tests may include:

• Health history and physical exam: Your physician will check your overall physical health, particularly looking for signs of disease on your lips and in your mouth. They’ll also review your past illnesses, treatments and health habits.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) takes X-rays of the body from different angles to create a three-dimensional image that shows tumors or abnormalities. Sometimes ink or dye is swallowed or injected into the vein, so tissues and organs show up clearly on the scan.
• Exfoliative cytology: A procedure using a small wooden stick, piece of cotton or a brush to collect cells from the lips, mouth, tongue or throat. The cells are then viewed under a microscope to look for abnormalities.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive sugar substance is injected into the body. Cells that use the most energy, such as cancer cells, absorb more of this substance than other cells. Then, a scanner creates images of your organs and tissues. Sometimes PET and CT scans are done together.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays to create images of the inside of the body, such as the neck, head, chest and lymph nodes. An MRI can also help your doctor measure the size of the tumor.
• Endoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to the end into your mouth or another opening in the body. The scope is guided into your throat to check for abnormal areas.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area of the body. This tissue is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A biopsy is the only way to make an official cancer diagnosis.
• Barium swallow: An X-ray of the esophagus. Before the X-ray, you’ll be asked to drink a liquid that contains barium, which coats the esophagus while X-rays are taken.
• Bone scan: A procedure to check for cancer cells in the bones. A small amount of radioactive chemical is injected into the vein and collects in the bones with cancer cells. These cells are detected by a scanner.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will run tests that check the head and neck to determine if you have cancer and if it has spread (metastasized) elsewhere in the body. Tests may include:

• Health history and physical exam: Your physician will check your overall physical health, particularly looking for signs of disease on your head and neck. They’ll also review your past illnesses, treatments and health habits.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area of the body. This tissue is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A biopsy is the only way to make an official cancer diagnosis.
• Endoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to the end into your mouth or another opening in the body. The scope is guided into your throat to check for abnormal areas.
• Tonsillectomy: Surgery to remove the tonsils.
• Lab tests: The following lab tests may be used to study your tissue samples:
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) tests to determine if you have either of these viruses.
  • Immunohistochemistry to check for certain antigens in your blood or bone marrow. This can help differentiate between one type of cancer and another.
  • Light and electron microscopy to look for specific changes in the cells.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) takes X-rays of the body from different angles to create a three-dimensional image that shows tumors or abnormalities. Sometimes ink or dye is swallowed or injected into the vein, so tissues and organs show up clearly on the scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive sugar substance is injected into the body. Cells that use the most energy, such as cancer cells, absorb more of this substance than other cells. Then, a scanner creates images of your organs and tissues. Sometimes PET and CT scans are done together.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays to create images of the inside of the body, such as the neck, head, chest and lymph nodes. An MRI can also help your doctor measure the size of the tumor.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will run tests that check the head and neck to determine if you have cancer and if it has spread (metastasized) elsewhere in the body. Tests may include: 

• Health history and physical exam: Your physician will check your overall physical health, particularly looking for signs of disease on your head and neck. They’ll also review your past illnesses, treatments and health habits.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area of the body. This tissue is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A biopsy is the only way to make an official cancer diagnosis. The tissue sample may be taken during one of the following procedures:
  • Upper endoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to the end into your mouth or another opening in the body. The scope is guided into your throat to check for abnormal areas.
  • Nasoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera attached to the end into your nose to obtain tissue samples.
• Neurological exam: An exam to check your mental status, ability to walk, coordination and how well your senses, reflexes and muscles function.
• Lab tests: This includes human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) tests to determine if you have either of these viruses.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) takes X-rays of the body from different angles to create a three-dimensional image that shows tumors or abnormalities. Sometimes ink or dye is swallowed or injected into the vein, so tissues and organs show up clearly on the scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive sugar substance is injected into the body. Cells that use the most energy, such as cancer cells, absorb more of this substance than other cells. Then, a scanner creates images of your organs and tissues. Sometimes PET and CT scans are done together.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays to create images of the inside of the body, such as the neck, head, chest and lymph nodes. An MRI can also help your doctor measure the size of the tumor.
• Ultrasound exam: An ultrasound creates a picture of the body tissues using sound waves.
• Hearing test: A procedure to determine if you can hear soft, loud, high-pitched and low-pitched sounds.
• Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is tested for certain substances that may be a sign of disease.
• Complete blood count: A procedure in which a sample of your blood is drawn to check your platelets, white blood cells, red blood cells, amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells and how much of the sample is made up of red blood cells.
• Chest X-ray: An X-ray of the bones and organs within the chest.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will run tests that check the head and neck to determine if you have cancer and if it has spread (metastasized) elsewhere in the body. Tests may include:

• Health history and physical exam: Your physician will check your overall physical health, particularly looking for signs of disease on your head and neck. They’ll also review your past illnesses, treatments and health habits.
• Neurological exam: An exam to check your mental status, ability to walk and coordination and how well your senses, reflexes and muscles function.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area of the body. This tissue is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A biopsy is the only way to make an official cancer diagnosis. The tissue sample may be taken during one of the following procedures:
  • Upper endoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to the end into your mouth or another opening in the body. The scope is guided into your throat to check for abnormal areas.
  • Laryngoscopy: A procedure where the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end to check your larynx (voice box) for abnormalities.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) takes X-rays of the body from different angles to create a three-dimensional image that shows tumors or abnormalities. Sometimes ink or dye is swallowed or injected into the vein, so tissues and organs show up clearly on the scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive sugar substance is injected into the body. Cells that use the most energy, such as cancer cells, absorb more of this substance than other cells. Then, a scanner creates images of your organs and tissues. Sometimes PET and CT scans are done together.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays to create images of the inside of the body, such as the neck, head, chest and lymph nodes. An MRI can also help your doctor measure the size of the tumor.
• HPV test: If cancer cells are detected, your physician may run a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancer and HPV-positive cancers are treated differently than those that are HPV-negative.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will run tests that check the head and neck to determine if you have cancer and if it has spread (metastasized) elsewhere in the body. Tests may include: 

• Health history and physical exam: Your physician will check your overall physical health, particularly looking for signs of disease on your head and neck. They’ll also review your past illnesses, treatments and health habits.
• X-rays of the head and neck: A procedure that takes images of the structures within the head and neck.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area of the body. This tissue is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A biopsy is the only way to make an official cancer diagnosis.
• Laryngoscopy: A procedure where the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end to check your larynx (voice box) for abnormalities.
• Nasoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to the end into your nose to obtain tissue samples.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) takes X-rays of the body from different angles to create a three-dimensional image that shows tumors or abnormalities. Sometimes ink or dye is swallowed or injected into the vein, so tissues and organs show up clearly on the scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive sugar substance is injected into the body. Cells that use the most energy, such as cancer cells, absorb more of this substance than other cells. Then, a scanner creates images of your organs and tissues. Sometimes PET and CT scans are done together.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays to create images of the inside of the body, such as the neck, head, chest and lymph nodes. An MRI can also help your doctor measure the size of the tumor.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will run tests that check the head and neck to determine if you have cancer and if it has spread (metastasized) elsewhere in the body. Tests may include:

• Health history and physical exam: Your physician will check your overall physical health, particularly looking for signs of disease on your head and neck. They’ll also review your past illnesses, treatments and health habits.
• Endoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera attached to the end into your mouth or another opening in the body. The scope is guided into your throat to check for abnormal areas.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) takes X-rays of the body from different angles to create a three-dimensional image that shows tumors or abnormalities. Sometimes ink or dye is swallowed or injected into the vein, so tissues and organs show up clearly on the scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: During a PET scan, a small amount of a radioactive sugar substance is injected into the body. Cells that use the most energy, such as cancer cells, absorb more of this substance than other cells. Then, a scanner creates images of your organs and tissues. Sometimes PET and CT scans are done together.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays to create images of the inside of the body, such as the neck, head, chest and lymph nodes. An MRI can also help your doctor measure the size of the tumor.
• Biopsy: During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area of the body. This tissue is examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A biopsy is the only way to make an official cancer diagnosis.