[Malignant tumors of the mouth cavity and oropharynx. Stage classification]

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 current imaging modalities. As radiology should never try to replace histology, the main aim should be precise prediction of tumour margins and differentiation of tumour from edema and posttherapeutic changes. Only then will imaging studies have a significant clinical impact.