CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSIS OF MALIGNANT HEAD AND NECK TUMORS: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Keywords:
Head and neck cancer, malignant neoplasms, diagnostic imaging, multislice computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, biopsy, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, staging.Abstract
This article reviews contemporary approaches to the diagnosis of malignant head and neck tumors, with particular emphasis on the complementary role of clinical examination, imaging, endoscopic techniques, and morphological verification. The diagnostic capabilities of ultrasonography, multislice computed tomography (MSCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are considered in relation to specific clinical tasks, including detection of the primary lesion, assessment of local tumor extension, evaluation of regional lymph nodes, identification of distant metastatic disease, and treatment planning. Particular attention is given to the role of histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry in establishing the definitive diagnosis and characterizing tumor differentiation and biological features. The analysis indicates that no single diagnostic modality is sufficient for comprehensive assessment of head and neck malignancies. The greatest clinical value is achieved through an integrated, indication-based diagnostic strategy in which each method is selected according to tumor location, suspected extent of disease, and the specific diagnostic question. Such an approach improves the accuracy of staging and provides a more reliable basis for individualized treatment planning.
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