DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

What is cancer staging? What is the purpose of staging a cancer? What is my cancer stage?

Staging is a crucial part of any cancer evaluation.  The stage of a cancer provides a very crude estimation of the risk of dying from the cancer, and can help patients and doctors select the most appropriate treatments.  The National Cancer Institute has an excellent webpage on this topic.  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/staging

Oral cancer staging requires a careful examination by an expert and often includes some form of imaging. Speak with your doctor about the stage of your cancer and the appropriate treatment.

How is oral cancer diagnosed?

Oral cancer is diagnosed with a biopsy, usually performed by a surgeon in the clinic using numbing medicine. The biopsy involves removing a small piece of the tumor and cauterizing the area to prevent bleeding. The biopsy then goes to a lab for testing that can take several days..

Are imaging tests usually performed?

A CT “cat” scan is frequently recommended to measure the size of the cancer as well as to identify any involvement of the jaw bone or lymph nodes. Less frequently, an MRI or PET scan is recommended.