Components of the examination may include...

• Case History: the doctor will interview you and review your medical records to get information regarding your general health and medical history.
• Physical Examination: will include checking the neck for lumps, swelling and sore areas. As part of the exam, the physician will look down into the throat. The physician may use either direct or indirect laryngoscopy view areas in the throat.
• During indirect laryngoscopy, the doctor uses a mirror to observe areas of the throat and the movement of the vocal cords. This test is not painful, and is non-invasive.
• In direct laryngoscopy, a laryngoscope (a lighted tube) is inserted through the patient's nose or mouth and down into the throat. Using the laryngoscope, the doctor is able to examine parts of the throat that are not seen in indirect laryngoscopy.
• Biopsy: If a lump or mass is found during the physical exam, a tissue sample needs to be taken to determine whether or not the mass is cancerous, or malignant.
• If cancer is found the patient will undergo several more tests. These tests will determine the size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread. These tests include:
• Chest X-ray: to detect cancer in the lungs
• CT Scan or MRI Scan: to determine the size of the tumor, and determine whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
• When the tests have been interpreted, the physician will assign a stage to the cancer. The stage is based on the size, the extent of spread to lymph nodes and metastasis to other parts of the body. The stage will help in determining the appropriate treatment for the cancer.