How Will I Be Diagnosed?
Screening is typically used to find cancer or pre-cancer in people who have no symptoms. As of now, however, there are no screening tests to find throat cancers early. These forms of cancer are rare and their early detection requires complex tests, which are not used during routine check-ups. [5]
If there are symptoms and signs at an early stage, though, and timely doctors appointments, chances are the cancer will be found sooner and treated more successfully. The doctor will examine the throat and ask questions about your general health, smoking and drinking habits, and sexual history. If they think it might be cancer, you’ll be referred to further tests and procedures.
A biopsy might be required. It is a procedure in which sample tissue is collected to be examined under a microscope for detecting the presence of cancer cells. It’s the only way to find out if a tumor is cancerous and what exact kind it is. Biopsies may be performed with surgery, fine needles, or an endoscope – a flexible tube with a camera that’s lowered into the throat through the nose or mouth.
Imaging tests (MRI or CT scan, PET scan, X-rays) help doctors to locate the tumor, determine its size and if it has spread.
If cancer of the oropharynx is found, a sample may be tested for HPV. The prognosis is usually better if the test is positive for this particular virus, rather than being smoking-related cancer. [1]
