Malignant tumours of the oral cavity and oropharynx: staging

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.