Oral cancer other diagnostic studies

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]

Overview

Biopsy of the tumor tissue is diagnostic of oral cancer. Other diagnostic studies for oral cancer include endoscopy, indirect pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy, exfoliative cytology, barium swallow, chest x-ray and bone scan to diagnose metastasis to chest and bone respectively.

Other Diagnostic Tests

Biopsy

Only a biopsy can give a definitive oral cancer diagnosis. The types of biopsies typically used for diagnosing oral cancers are:

• Incisional biopsy
• Fine needle aspiration (FNA)

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is used to examine areas inside the body for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancer. Endoscopy is used to:

• Detect cancer at an early stage
• Diagnose a oral cancer
• Take biopsies
• Locate and remove cancerous (or pre-cancerous) tissue
• Determine if cancer has spread

Indirect Pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy of oral cancer

Indirect pharyngoscopy and laryngoscoy to check for any signs of oral cancer and to examine the back of throat. People diagnosed with oral cancer are also at increased risk for other head and neck cancers, so a doctor will examine the nasopharynx.

Exfoliative cytology

Exfoliative cytology may be used for diagnosis of oral cancer but some cancers may be missed, or may be confused with abnormal non-cancerous cells.

Barium swallow

A barium swallow test may show any irregularities in the larynx, pharynx, mouth and surrounding areas, and can detect small, early oral tumors.

HPV testing

For cancers of the throat, biopsy samples are often tested to see if HPV infection is present. This information can help predict the probable course of the cancer, as people whose cancers are linked to HPV tend to do better than those whose cancers are not.

Chest x-ray for oral cancer

An x-ray of the chest may be taken to check if the cancer has spread to the lungs.

Bone scan

Bone scan may be done to check if there are rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, in the bone.

Dental Exam

If radiation is part of the treatment plan for oral cancer, a dental exam beforehand by a prosthodontist is usually recommended.

References

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