The usefulness of nasal endoscopy for superficial head and neck cancer

Abstract

Early-stage oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer is often found by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the field of gastroenterology. Compared to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, laryngeal fibers have a lower resolution and therefore it is sometimes difficult to observe these lesions. Using a nasal endoscope to facilitate the evaluation of lesions that are difficult to diagnose with laryngeal fibers, I was successfully able to make a diagnosis. Making accurate observations with an endoscope, especially NBI (narrow and imaging), is important for diagnosing early cancer and determining the extent of a lesion. Especially in cancer-based hospitals, endoscopy may be indispensable for the diagnosis and observation of early-stage cancer.