How laryngeal cancer is diagnosed

Usually you begin by seeing your GP (family doctor) who will examine you and may arrange for some tests or x-rays. Your GP may then refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist at a hospital.

The ENT doctor will take your full medical history and examine you. The doctor will feel for enlarged glands in your neck. They will examine the back of your mouth and throat (including the larynx) using a small mirror, like the one a dentist uses when checking your teeth. The specialist may want to look at the larynx with a thin, flexible tube with a light on the end (a nasendoscope). The nasendoscope is passed up your nose and into the throat. This may be a bit uncomfortable, but your throat can be sprayed first to numb the area.

If anything abnormal or unusual is seen in your throat, or if the doctor can’t see your larynx clearly with the mirror or nasendoscope, you will need to be admitted to hospital to have an examination of your larynx under general anaesthetic. While you are under the anaesthetic, the doctor can usually see all parts of the larynx very well. Using an endoscope (a thin tube with a light on the end) the doctor will take a closer look at the larynx. If any areas look abnormal a very small sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.

You may have an overnight stay in hospital because this examination is done under general anaesthetic. However, some people can go home on the same day once they’ve recovered from the procedure. Your doctor or specialist nurse will give you more information about this.