What kind of examination should be done for tongue cancer? First do basic palpation

If you suspect you have tongue cancer, you need to first perform basic palpation, which includes palpation of the tongue lesion tissue and the cervical lymph nodes, to preliminarily determine the type of lesion. Ultrasound Doppler examination, MRI, CT examination and X-ray examination are performed to observe the scope of the lesion and whether there are any signs of metastasis. The stage and type of the disease are determined based on the biopsy results.

Tongue cancer is a common tumor in the maxillofacial region, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common. The cause of tongue cancer is still unclear, but most people believe that it is directly related to environmental, mental, and endocrine factors. In addition, when immunity continues to decline or there is a family history of tongue coating, the incidence rate will increase significantly. So, what tests should be done to confirm suspected tongue cancer?

1. Basic palpation examination of tongue cancer

Many related examinations are required to diagnose tongue cancer, but the most basic one is palpation of the tongue tissue and nearby lymphatic tissue. Palpation of the tongue tissue is to sense possible lesions on the tongue and make a preliminary judgment on whether it is an ulcerative lesion or an invasive lesion. In addition, touching the lymph nodes can help you understand whether the lymph nodes are tender, active, and have clear boundaries, so as to determine whether there is a possibility of metastasis.

2. Imaging examination of tongue cancer

1. Doppler ultrasound examination

For patients diagnosed with tongue cancer who are preparing to undergo free tissue flap surgery to repair maxillofacial defects, ultrasound Doppler examination can be performed to determine the direction of arteriovenous branches and blood flow to ensure the success rate of the operation.

2. CT and MRI

Through CT examination and MRI, the specific scope of tongue lesions and the degree of infiltration can be determined, and the morphology and nature of lymph nodes can also be understood, which is of great value for the final diagnosis of tongue cancer.

3. Pathological examination of tongue cancer

The gold standard for diagnosing tongue cancer is still to perform a pathological biopsy. Generally, 0.5C-1CM of tissue from the junction of normal tissue and tumor of the tongue is taken for examination under anesthesia. After the case is confirmed, surgery is performed as soon as possible. In addition, tongue cancer is prone to metastasis to cervical lymph nodes, so a biopsy of the suspected metastatic lymph nodes in the neck is also required, which is of positive significance for the diagnosis and staging of the disease.

In summary, the most basic method for diagnosing tongue coating is to palpate the diseased tissue to preliminarily determine the nature of the disease. Then, ultrasound Doppler examination, CT examination, X-ray examination and MRI are combined to understand the degree and scope of the disease, and finally a biopsy is performed.