The symptoms for throat cancer mostly include teeth pain and other teeth related problems. So at first the dentist consultant should be made. The physician needs to gather the medical history of the patient. Then an otorhinolaryngologist is considered for further diagnosis. The throat is examined with the help of a small mirror or fiber optic material. A tissue sample will be collected for the further examination. The throat cancer begins on the line surface of the throat. It starts from the squamous cells. The throat cancer will spread rapidly beyond the line surface of the throat. To determine the extent of the cancer, the physician will undertake the following test …
X-rays:the x-ray gives the image of the mouth, head and chest in one-dimensional.
Computer tomography (CT):In the CT scan, the x-ray is used to produce two-dimensional image of the internal organs that are not covered by the general x-ray scan.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):The exact extent of the cancer in the throat can be determined by this MRI scan. The MRI scan is also used to find the involvement of the lymph nodes in the cancer. The MRI scan produces image that can be viewed from any direction. The above process needs magnetic field and the use of the radio waves.
Ultrasound:The ultrasound scan is used to find the exact size and nature of the tumor present. The scan uses transducer to use the combined high-frequency sound waves and the computer processing to produce the image. The transducer is wand like object used in this method.
Positron emission tomography (PET):The tissues that consume more energy in the body will absorb more radioactive tracer when sent inside the body. The tumor will also absorb more tracer. This method is applied in the Positron Emission Tomography to find the tumor in the body. The PET scan uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer for the above process.
TUMOR STAGING:
The throat cancer is classified into different stages based on the condition of the cancer. The stage of the cancer plays important role in the diagnosis part. The treatment is carried out depending on the current stage of the cancer.
Stage I:The stage one mean the cancer is in the same area where it was found. The cancer has not spread since its discovery. The effect of the cancer may not be severe. The part of the body having the tumor may function normally.
Stage II:In stage two the cancer remains in the area where it has started but it must have grown in size than in stage one.
Stage III:In stage three the cancer will spread out to the near-by areas and the effect of the cancer is felt in the area it has started. The symptoms of the cancer are easily found in this stage.
Stage IV:In this stage the cancer is grown into large shape and spreading extensively. This stage requires immediate treatment.
