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], Sargun Singh Walia M.B.B.S.[3]

Overview

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

Only a biopsy can give a definitive diagnosis of oral cancer.
The types of biopsies typically used for diagnosing oral cancers are:
- Incisional biopsy
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA)

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

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.

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

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.

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

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