Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at 20x Magnification

Diagnosis of laryngeal cancer may involve a number of different tests, usually performed under the guidance of a head and neck surgeon (otolaryngologist) to whom the patient has been referred by their general practitioner. Special mirrors and laryngoscopes introduced through the mouth or nose are used to inspect the throat, and the entire head and neck region undergo a thorough evaluation. One of several different types of biopsies may also be carried out. Once the presence of a tumor has been verified, various imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and x-rays, are typically employed to help establish the full extent of the cancer.