panendoscopy

A procedure that uses an endoscope( a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and lens) to examine the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), esophagus, trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (the tubes, or airways, that carry air in and out of the lungs).

Panendoscopy involves using nasopharyngoscopy, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy to thoroughly examine people with head and neck cancer. Cells or tissue may be removed for examination under a microscope. Doctors may also use panendoscopy to remove polyps or tumours, stage a head or neck cancer, look for recurrence or find a primary tumour when cancer is found in another part of the body.