Penn Ear, Nose and Throat and the Abramson Cancer Center offer the latest advancements in diagnostic testing for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck include:
Biopsy
During a biopsy, your physician will remove a part or all of the suspicious area. The tissue will be tested in a lab and analyzed by a pathologist.
Blood tests
A complete blood count (CBC) will examine the number of red blood cells and platelets, and the number and type of white blood cells.
Imaging tests including, CT Scan or MRI
A CT scan or MRI may be performed in cases of advanced tumors or if there is a concern that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy
A procedure that involves placing a flexible fiberoptic camera through the nose to see the surface of the oropharynx and other structures of the throat, such as, the vocal cords, base of tongue (back of the tongue), the lower part of the tonsils and the lining of the throat