Extent of Disease Evaluation

Common Metastatic Sites

Primary Sites Metastatic Sites
Oral Cavity, pharynx, larynx Lungs, liver, mediastinal lymph nodes
Maxillary Sinus Lungs, distant lymph nodes
Salivary Glands Lungs
Thyroid Gland Lungs

Definitions

Key words/possible involvement:

Terms which indicate possible involvement by tumor. Common terms are provided, but the list is not all-inclusive.

Other words/no involvement:

Other terms seen in reports which indicate an abnormality but do not indicate a neoplastic process. Common terms are provided, but the list is not all-inclusive.

Key Information

Information to look for in the report of the study. Key information helps define the extent of disease.

Recommended Diagnostic Procedures for Head and Neck Cancers

Site Physical Exam Biopsy Indirect Exam Endoscopy CXR CT MRI
Oral Cavity X X X X X X  
Salivary Glands X X     X X  
Paranasal sinuses and nasalcavity X X X X X X X
Nasopharynx X X X X X X X
Oropharynx X X X X X X X
Hypopharynx X X X X X X  
Larynx X X   X X X  
Thyroid X FN X     X  

* FN = fine needle aspiration

Note: Other diagnostic evaluations for thyroid malignancies include thyroid function test, sonogram, serum thyrocalcitonin (medullary carcinoma)

Diagnostic Studies