ear, nose, and throat disorders
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Biopsy Endoscopy to detect second primary cancer Chest CT or x-ray and CT of head and neck Any suspicious areas should be biopsied. Incisional or brush biopsy can be done depending on the surgeon's preference. Direct laryngoscopy and esophagoscopy are done in all patients with oral cavity cancer to exclude a simultaneous second primary cancer. Head and neck CT usually is done and a chest CT or x-ray is done; however, as in most sites in the head and neck, PET/CT has begun to play a larger role in the evaluation of patients with oral cavity cancer. (See table.) 