Laboratory Tests

Laboratory tests are usually not useful for head and neck cancers, with the exception of thyroid cancer.

Thyroglobulin

See Tumor Markers section.

I-131 Uptake Test

Measures ability of thyroid gland to accumulate, concentrate and retain iodine; usually done at same time as a thyroid scan. Normal values: 1%-13% absorbed by thyroid after 2 hours; 2-25% absorbed after 6 hours; 15-45% absorbed after 24 hours. Used primarily to rule out a variety of benign conditions.

Go to the Lab Tests page of the Diagnostic Tests module for more information.