Specific tests
Endoscopy is the main test used for examining and diagnosing laryngeal cancer. There are different names for examinations looking at different parts of the inside of the nose, throat, lungs and oesophagus and these are:
- Indirect laryngoscopy –is a test done using a light source and a mirror, or short rigid scope to look down the throat at the vocal cords. It is performed in outpatients.
- Nasoendoscopy – this test uses a small flexible fibreoptic endoscope to look at the vocal cords via the nose and is done in outpatients.
- Pan-endoscopy – this word means an endoscopy to look at all areas of the nose, throat and lungs and is done under general anaesthetic.
- Transnasal endoscopy – a small flexible fibreoptic endoscope is used to examine the oesophagus and throat via the nose, this is done in outpatients.
- Fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes (FNA) – if cancer has spread to involve the lymph nodes or ‘glands’ of the neck they can usually be felt under the skin, a needle is used to suck out or aspirate some of these cells, to find out if cancer cells are in the lymph nodes.
- Ultrasound scan of the neck – to look at the lymph nodes in the neck – a FNA may be done at the same time.
- Blood tests – liver function tests (LFTs) may demonstrate jaundice, full blood count may show anaemia.
- MRI scan – used to identify staging
- CT scan – used to identify staging
- PET scan - used to identify staging
Amended November 2008
