After asking about your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may require you to undergo diagnostic tests, including:
Physical examination
Aspects of physical examination for head and neck include inspecting of face, checking pupillary response and extraocular movements, sensations to light touch in all three distributions, checking of muscles of facial expression, hearing with at least 512 Hz, turning head against resistance, and protruding tongue.
Other components of the exam include examining ears, nose, and oral cavity/oropharynx. You may also be assessed for gag reflex, level of lymph nodes as well as salivary glands, and nodules.
Endoscopy
In this procedure, a special lighted scope called endoscope is used to get a close look at the tumour. A small camera at the end of the endoscope communicates images to a video screen that the doctor views to check for signs of abnormalities in the area.
Laboratory tests
You will also need to undergo several tests to check blood, urine, or other body samples.
Imaging tests for the head and neck
Imaging tests for the head and neck, including X-ray, computerised tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET), may aid the doctor to determine the extent of the condition.
Biopsy
If certain abnormalities are discovered during an endoscopy, the doctor can pass surgical instruments through the scope to collect a tissue sample or biopsy. The sample tissue will be brought to a laboratory for testing. A swollen lymph node using a technique called fine-needle aspiration may also be taken.