Head and neck cancer represents 3% of malignancies, and it is associated with high mortality due to advanced stage diagnosis. In early stages, the symptomatology can either be absent or be very common, misleading the patient who often ignores it. Early diagnosis of head and neck neoplasia is essential for a favorable long-term outcome. Lately new in vivo examination techniques were developed, and older ones have been improved. Today, in vivo staining techniques are an important tool in the diagnostic of head and neck cancer. Lugol iodine staining method provides valuable information concerning the tumor, allowing the surgeon to differentiate premalignant and malignant lesions.

Head and neck cancers represent an important health problem in the present time. Due to the often late diagnosis and the significant changes that accompany the therapy associated with this disease, the impact on the quality of life of the patient is remarkable, causing a lower adherence to treatment, poor outcomes and an unfavorable prognosis. The current trend focuses on methods of investigation that allow an early diagnosis, which in turn translates into minimally invasive interventions with a favorable outcome. The purpose of this paper is to present the methylene blue staining method as an diagnosis tool, allowing the surgeon a better evaluation of the tumor and a more reliable limit of resection.

The carcinoma of the tonsil represents 10-15% of the total of malignant tumors in the oral cavity, having a predilection for males and the great majority is represented by squamous cell carcinomas. In order to improve the long term results of oncologic treatment for patients with tonsillar malignancies early diagnosis and disease free margins during surgery are mandatory. These can be obtained using lugol iodine staining during resection surgery for malignant tumors of the tonsil. This method has been shown to be effective, easy to use, cheap and safe.

Despite remarkable advancements in medicine, cancers remain one of the most challenging pathologies for doctors. Head and neck neoplasms especially raise serious management problems due to the often advanced stage at the moment of diagnosis, associated with difficult curative interventions that impose significant changes in the quality of life of patients. Whenever possible, a complete removal of the tumor with disease free margins significantly increases the rate of survival. During surgery, assessing the limit of resection up to healthy tissue is crucial in order to attempt a curative intervention. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of the methylene blue staining test in assessing the margins of resection during interventions for head and neck cancers.