Adding an ultrasound scan to the diagnosis of suspected throat cancer
Tests ultrasound of the tonsils in adults suspected of having oropharyngeal cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Transoral and Cervical Ultrasound of Patients With Suspected Oropharyngeal Cancer
Key facts
- Where
- Aarhus, Copenhagen, Hillerød, and Køge, DenmarkSee the 4 sites
Where in Denmark
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aarhus University HospitalAarhus, DenmarkNot yet recruiting
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & AudiologyCopenhagen, DenmarkTaking people
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Audiology Northzealand HospitalHillerød, DenmarkNot yet recruiting
- Department of ORL - Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Zealand University Hospital,Køge, DenmarkNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Tobias Todsen
- Trial code
- NCT07548268
- Record updated
- 23 April 2026
- Original description
Introduction The current diagnostic approach for patients with suspected oropharyngeal cancer involves a combination of clinical examination, tissue sampling, and relevant cross-sectional imaging. Previous studies have shown that transoral and cervical ultrasound (US) of the palatine and lingual tonsils has a better diagnostic accuracy than clinical investigation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with suspected oropharyngeal cancer, but it has not been established whether adding this scan to the diagnostic workup has a clinical impact.Read full original descriptionShow less
Surgeon-performed Transoral and Cervical Ultrasound of the Palatine and Lingual Tonsils in Patients With Suspected Oropharyngeal Cancer - a Research Proposal for a Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial
Introduction The current diagnostic approach for patients with suspected oropharyngeal cancer involves a combination of clinical examination, tissue sampling, and relevant cross-sectional imaging. Previous studies have shown that transoral and cervical ultrasound (US) of the palatine and lingual tonsils has a better diagnostic accuracy than clinical investigation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with suspected oropharyngeal cancer, but it has not been established whether adding this scan to the diagnostic workup has a clinical impact.
Methods A randomized controlled study, including 170 patients at four different Head and Neck Hospital departments in Denmark. One group receives standard diagnostics (control group), and the other group receives standard diagnostics supplemented by transoral and cervical ultrasound of the lingual and palatine tonsils. The diagnostic accuracy, number of correct biopsies, number of imaging modalities ordered, and time to final diagnosis are noted.
Conclusion This randomized controlled study examines whether the implementation of transoral and cervical ultrasound of the palatine and lingual tonsils in patients with suspected oropharyngeal cancer will improve the diagnostic accuracy and have a clinical impact. This concerns more accurate initial diagnoses, more correct biopsies, fewer unnecessary scans, and fewer visits to the outpatient clinic.
Inclusion: Referred to outpatient cancer clinic with one of the following:; A scan (MR, CT, PET/CT) suggesting malignancy in the oropharynx. This being asymmetric metabolic activity on PET/CT, a tumor or asymmetry of the palatine and lingual tonsils on MR and CT (7); Tumor suspicious findings (erosion/ulcus, tonsil asymmetry/hypertrophy); Tumor-suspicious symptoms (pain of the oropharynx); > 18 years of age; Ability to understand and give informed consent.
Exclusion: • Prior oropharyngeal cancer; Prior radiation to the head and neck area.