Head & Neck Cancer Diagnosis
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The Importance of Accurately Diagnosing & Staging Cancer
Dr. Timothy McCay explains why it’s important for doctors to accurately diagnose and stage each patient’s cancer.
Diagnosing Head & Neck Cancer
If you have been recently diagnosed with head and neck cancer, or have been battling head and neck cancer for some time and are exploring your treatment options, you are not alone. This can be a confusing and overwhelming time. However, you can find innovative options, hope, and compassionate care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA).
CTCA offers a whole-person, patient-centered approach to head and neck cancer treatment. Here, a multidisciplinary care team will empower you with information, listen to your concerns, and provide you with advanced options to fight head and neck cancer. Your care team will work with you to develop an individualized head and neck cancer treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Diagnostic Tools for Head & Neck Cancer
Tumors in the head and neck region may affect the ability to swallow, chew food, hear, or breathe normally. If symptoms are present, your doctor may recommend an endoscopy to look into the throat, ears or nose. An endoscopy is a type of diagnostic exam where a tube with a small camera is inserted into the body and enables the doctor to visually inspect for signs of cancer.
During the procedure, your doctor may take tissue samples for a biopsy. If cancer is found, your doctor may choose from variety of imaging tests, like X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), or positron emission tomography (PET) scans, to determine if the cancer has spread elsewhere.
Next Topic: Head & Neck Cancer Staging
