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Diagnosing nasopharyngeal cancer
Author(s) -
Van Hasselt C. Andrew,
Otol Mmed,
Gareth John D.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199401000-00019
Subject(s) - medicine , biopsy , local anesthesia , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , outpatient clinic , forceps , nasopharyngeal cancer , radiology , tissue sample , cancer , surgery , radiation therapy , biomedical engineering
When nasopharyngeal carcinoma is suspected clinically, an adequate tissue sample should be taken at the patient's first visit. Should the initial tissue sample be nondiagnostic, depending on the index of suspicion in the individual case, the process may be repeated under either local or general anesthesia. It is important that a detailed examination of the nasopharynx be undertaken in the outpatient setting. Biopsy should be performed accurately under direct visualization. Large biopsy forceps are essential to obtain an adequate tissue sample. Biopsy under local anesthesia is safe, easy to perform, well tolerated by the patient, and should be undertaken in the outpatient clinic. This direct diagnostic approach achieves a rapid diagnosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.