Application of ultrasound-guided core biopsy as a novel diagnostic tool for base of tongue cancer: our experiences with ten patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of ultrasound-guided core biopsy (USCB) as a novel diagnostic tool of base of tongue (BOT) cancer.A prospective cohort study.University Teaching Hospital.Successful evaluation and tissue sampling of BOT malignancy by ultrasound-guided core biopsy.Ten patients with suspected BOT malignancy were recruited for USCB. BOT malignancy was diagnosed in nine patients. Chronic inflammation was found in the remaining patient. There were 3 new cases, 5 recurrent cases, and 1 metastatic case of BOT cancer confirmed by USCB. Four patients had previously undergone a failed endoscopic biopsy. There were 2 infirm patients who received USCB only, and 2 patients refused scheduled endoscopic biopsy because of early diagnosis by USCB. All patients tolerated the procedure well without remarkable complications.USCB is a novel diagnostic tool for diagnosing BOT cancer and is especially useful for patients who were contraindicated or could not be diagnosed by endoscopic approaches. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.