Tonsil Cancer

Diagnosis

To help determine the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient, Mayo Clinic's multispecialty team of doctors uses the latest diagnostic techniques to identify the type of tumor cells and the extent of cancer progression. At Mayo, tests are generally scheduled and completed in just a few days, and results are typically available within hours of a test's completion.

The first step in diagnosing tonsil cancer is an in-depth discussion with the patient to learn about symptoms and when they first appeared. The doctor then examines the head and neck for lumps, swelling and areas where the patient reports pain. The physician also uses a mirror or a small, flexible, fiber-optic instrument to examine the tonsils and surrounding tissue.

Specialists at Mayo Clinic have access to all imaging techniques that may be helpful in diagnosing tonsil cancer, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).

Before recommending treatment, physicians at Mayo Clinic often take a small sample of tissue (biopsy) from the tonsil for further examination. Oral pathologists examine the tissue under a microscope to determine the kind of cancer cells present. Most often, the cancer tissue is classified as squamous cell carcinoma.