Oropharyngeal cancer: clinical efficacy of ultrasound.

Nine patients with carcinoma of the oropharynx were evaluated for classification of the primary tumor by ultrasonography (US). US accurately defined tumor size. In cancers of the tonsils, spread toward the tongue was correctly assessed by US. Tumor classification of T1 to T4 was possible in all patients. Small oropharyngeal cancers showed a homogeneous hypoechoic pattern. As the tumor enlarged, internal echoes became heterogeneous. US was also useful in evaluating the response to radiation by monitoring the tumor size. Our results showed that US was a valuable adjunct to current techniques for imaging oropharyngeal tumor.