Endoscopy tests for head and neck cancer
An endoscopy test may be used to help diagnose cancer in the head or neck area.
What is an endoscopy?
An endoscopy is a test that looks inside the body using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope. The tube has a light and a camera at the end. It is passed into the body to help doctors see inside.
Different types of endoscopy may be used to look at the mouth, nose and throat.
Having a head and neck endoscopy
You will you usually have this in the outpatient clinic.
Before the test, your doctor may spray your nose and throat with an anaesthetic to numb the area.
After the test, you should not eat or drink anything for about 1 to 2 hours, until the anaesthetic spray wears off. This is to make sure you do not burn your mouth or throat. It also stops a drink going down the wrong way into your lungs when you swallow.
Flexible nasendoscopy
The most common type of head and neck endoscopy is the flexible nasendoscopy.
Nasendoscopy
A flexible nasendoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end. Images from the camera are shown on a screen. The doctor uses this to look inside your nose, the back of your nose and your throat.
This test only takes a few minutes but if you are also having a biopsy, it could take longer.
The doctor gently passes the nasendoscope into your nose, over the back of your tongue and down into your upper throat. You might find this part a bit uncomfortable, but it only takes about a minute.
Some people prefer not to have the anaesthetic spray for this test.
Endoscope examination under general anaesthetic
If your doctor would like to look at an area more closely using a larger endoscope, they may suggest a general anaesthetic. This test is sometimes called a panendoscopy.
You may have this test if your doctor:
- could not see the area clearly
- saw something unusual during a nasendoscopy.
During the examination, the doctor can take biopsy samples from any areas that look abnormal. You can usually have this test in a day surgery unit. Most people can go home on the same day.
Trans-nasal oesophagoscopy
You may have this test if you are not able to have a general anaesthetic. It allows the doctor to look at your nose, throat, voicebox and gullet (oesophagus). It is sometimes called a trans-nasal flexible laryngo-oesophagoscopy (TNFLO).
You will be asked not to eat or drink for a few hours before the test. The doctor gently passes the endoscope into your nose, to the back of your throat and into your gullet. This sounds uncomfortable, but most people cope well with it. It does not usually cause problems with gagging. A biopsy is usually taken during this test.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our head and neck cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Brook, I. Late side effects of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Radiation Oncology Journal. 2020;38(2):84-92. Available from www.doi.org/10.3857/roj.2020.00213
Homer JJ, Winter SC, Abbey EC, Aga H, Agrawal R, Ap Dafydd D, et al. Head and Neck Cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines, Sixth Edition. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology. 2024 Apr; 138(S1): S1–S224. Available from www.doi.org/10.1017/S0022215123001615
McCaul L, Barclay S, Nixon P, Yule PL, Trainor J, Stevenson B, et al. Oral prehabilitation for patients with head and neck cancer: getting it right - the Restorative Dentistry-UK consensus on a multidisciplinary approach to oral and dental assessment and planning prior to cancer treatment. British Dental Journal. 2022 Nov; 233(9): 794–800. Available from www.doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5197-3
Schache A, Kerawala C, Ahmed O, Brennan PA, Cook F, Garrett M, et al. British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists (BAHNO) standards 2020. Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine. 2021 Mar; 50(3) 262–273. Available from www.doi.org/10.1111/jop.13161
Reviewer
Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer
Date reviewed
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