Oropharyngeal Cancer Diagnosis

Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of malignant tumor originating from the mucosal epithelium of the pharynx, commonly found in the base of the tongue, soft palate, and tonsil regions. Because these sites are located deep in the oropharynx, early symptoms are easily overlooked, leading to delayed treatment. Once persistent sore throat, ear pain, difficulty swallowing, or cervical lymph node enlargement occurs, standardized diagnosis should be carried out promptly. Scientific examinations not only confirm the nature of the lesion but also clarify staging, guiding individualized treatment plans.

Diagnostic Basis

1. Endoscopy as the initial method
Fiber nasopharyngolaryngoscopy is a commonly used initial assessment tool in clinical practice. It can clearly observe the morphology, size, surface ulceration, or congestion of lesions in the pharynx, tonsils, and tongue base. Endoscopy is simple, non-invasive, and suitable for first-visit patients. Recording images during endoscopy is also useful for follow-up treatment evaluation and comparison.

2. Biopsy is the key to confirmation
Biopsy of the lesion site is the "gold standard" for diagnosing oropharyngeal cancer. Under local anesthesia, doctors usually take tissue samples from suspicious areas and send them to pathology for microscopic examination. If cells show atypia and active mitosis, malignancy is confirmed. In some cases, HPV testing is also required to determine virus-related pathology.

3. Imaging assists staging assessment
To evaluate the depth of tumor invasion and whether lymph node or distant metastasis has occurred, imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, or PET-CT are required. CT is suitable for observing bone erosion, MRI is better for locating soft tissue lesions, and PET-CT can identify potential distant metastases, especially important for comprehensive assessment in stage III and above patients.

4. Cervical lymph node evaluation should not be ignored
Oropharyngeal cancer often first manifests as painless cervical lymph node enlargement. Therefore, cervical ultrasound or contrast-enhanced CT can be used to determine the size, morphology, and whether the lymph nodes are fused. If necessary, fine-needle aspiration biopsy can be performed to further clarify if metastasis is present.

5. Immunohistochemistry and genetic testing help classification
Modern tumor diagnosis goes beyond morphological confirmation, incorporating immunohistochemical testing of markers such as P16 and Ki67 to determine tumor biological characteristics. In addition, for some HPV-positive patients, relevant genetic testing may be performed to assess prognosis and treatment response, providing important evidence for subsequent precision therapies such as immune reconstruction cell therapy.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that early diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer is crucial. Combined assessment using endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging can effectively identify disease extent and lay the foundation for standardized treatment. For high-risk populations, regular oropharyngeal screening is recommended for early detection and early treatment.