Staging of malignant tumours of the oral cavity and the oropharynx not only
requires far more than a basic knowledge of anatomy and the usual pathways
of spread, but also a broad understanding of the diagnostic benefits of cu
rrent imaging modalities. As radiology should never try to replace histolog
y, the main aim should be precise prediction of tumour margins and differen
tion of tumour from edema and posttherapeutic changes. Only then will imagi
ng studies have a significant clinical impact.