Tests to stage
Stage means how big the cancer is, and whether it has spread to another part of the body. Knowing the stage helps your doctor decide the best treatment for you. The most common place for mouth or oropharyngeal cancer to spread is the lymph nodes in the neck.
You might have one or more of these tests.
CT scan
CT scans take pictures of your body to find out where the cancer is and whether it has spread.
MRI scan
Get more information on what an MRI scan is, how you have it and what happens afterwards.
PET-CT scan
Find out what a PET- CT scan is, how you have it and what happens after it.
Barium swallow
Read about what to expect when having a barium swallow test.
X-rays
Find out about x-rays for mouth and oropharyngeal cancer including what they are and how you have them.
