Tests after a laryngeal cancer diagnosis

After your diagnosis your doctor may want you to have more tests to find out more about your cancer:

• How large is the cancer?
• Where exactly is the cancer?
• Has the cancer spread to any other parts of your body?

This is called staging. Staging tests for laryngeal cancer include:

• CT scan: A special type of X-ray to give a picture of the tissues inside your body
• MRI scan: This is a scan that uses magnetic energy to build up a picture of the tissues inside your body. During the scan you will lie inside a tunnel-like machine. 
• PET scan: Using a radioactive injection that will show up any cancer spread to other parts of your body on a scan picture. 
• Microlaryngoscopy: This test allows your surgeon to examine your larynx more clearly. A thin metal tube with a light on the end (laryngoscope) is passed down your throat. A microscope can be attached to the end of the tube to magnify the larynx to make it easier to examine. You’ll have a general anaesthetic for this test.

Staging is important as it helps your medical team decide on the best treatment for your cancer.