Throat cancers can sometimes be caught in their early stages. This is important, because detecting cancer early usually leads to a more favorable prognosis. Regular dental checkups can often reveal early signs of oropharyngeal cancers. A primary care physician should also examine the throat as part of any routine cancer-related checkup.

A physician will compile a thorough medical history and perform a complete physical examination. If throat cancer is suspected, the patient may be referred to a specialist such as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or an otolaryngologist (head and neck surgeon) for a complete evaluation.

Tests that may be performed include:

• Head and neck exam. This may include a nasopharyngoscopy, pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy. Special fiberoptic endoscopes (flexible, lighted, narrow tubes inserted through the mouth or nose) and mirrors are used to examine the throat area. There are two primary types of head and neck exams:
  
  
• • Indirect pharyngoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy or laryngoscopy. Use of small mirrors to look at the pharynx, nasopharynx, base of the tongue or larynx.
    
    
  • Direct pharyngoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy or laryngoscopy. Endoscope is used to examine the area as patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer have a higher risk for more cancers in other parts of the head and neck region. The region behind the nose, the larynx, and the lymph nodes of the neck are examined carefully for any signs of cancer
    
    
• Panendoscopy. This is an examination of the throat that is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The procedure is performed if the risk of a head or neck cancer are high and can include laryngoscopy, esophagoscopy, and possible bronchoscopy. It is performed if the odds of a head and neck cancer are high. The oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, and the trachea and bronchi (breathing passageways that lead to the lungs) are all examined by endoscope. 
  

Samples of suspected tissue (biopsy) may be obtained during these procedures. The samples are sent to a pathologist for analysis for indications of the presence of cancer and if present, the type and stage of the cancer.

Other tests that may be performed to look for cancer of the throat – or cancer that has spread to other regions – include:

• X-ray. Chest and head x-rays as well as dental x-rays.
  
  
• CAT scan (Computed axial tomography).  Uses multiple x-ray images and computerized technology to produce cross-sectional images of the body.
  
  
• MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging). Test that produces clear cross-sectional or three-dimensional images of the body’s tissues, even through bone and other obstructions.

• PET scan  (Positron emission tomography). A small amount of radioactive tracer is combined with a sugar substance and injected into the body. Cancerous tumors absorb greater amounts of the tracer, which appear as hot spots on the images. This test is often used to detect signs of metastasis.
  
  
• Barium swallow. A barium compound is swallowed, coating various internal structures, such as the throat, esophagus and the inner lining of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This test can detect physical abnormalities such as tumors or esophageal constrictions and may be used to diagnose swallowing problems (dysphagia). 
  

Not all throat cancers can be detected early. For example, cancers of the nasopharynx usually spread quickly to the lymph nodes before symptoms occur. Over 80 percent of patients diagnosed with NPC have advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).