Throat Cancer

Diagnosis

To diagnose throat cancer, your doctor will perform a physical exam, review your medical history and may recommend the following diagnostic tests. At Mayo Clinic, lab, imaging and biopsy test results are typically available on the same day or the next day. Efficient testing helps your doctor quickly arrive at a diagnosis so treatment can begin as soon as possible.

• Endoscopic exam. The doctor may examine your throat for abnormalities with a special camera (endoscope) that transmits images to a video screen. This allows the doctor to view portions of your throat and voice box that are otherwise inaccessible.
• Biopsy. If abnormalities are found, your doctor may take a tiny tissue sample (biopsy) and send it to the lab for analysis. Mayo Clinic has specialized head and neck pathologists who are highly experienced at identifying the type and grade of cancer, critical for developing the proper treatment plan. Biopsy results are routinely reported to your doctor on the same day.
• Imaging tests. Your doctor may order one or more of the following imaging procedures to determine if cancer has spread beyond the surface (where most throat cancers develop):
• Computer tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Occasionally, X-rays and ultrasounds also may be performed.

Read more about ultrasound, MRI scan and CT scan at MayoClinic.com.