Gastric Cancer Diagnosis & Testing

How is Gastric Cancer Diagnosed?

Diagnosing gastric cancer involves evaluating symptoms and conducting specific tests, such as:

Upper Endoscopy (EGD): A flexible tube with a camera is used to examine the stomach lining and collect tissue samples
Biopsy: A tissue sample is taken from the stomach for lab analysis
CT Scan or MRI: Imaging tests to determine the spread of cancer
PET Scan: A detailed scan to detect cancerous activity in the body
Barium Swallow X-ray: A contrast liquid highlights abnormalities in the stomach

Gastric Cancer Staging and Subtypes

Gastric Cancer Staging

Stage I: Cancer is limited to the stomach lining.
Stage II: Cancer has spread to deeper stomach layers or nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III: Cancer extends beyond the stomach into nearby tissues or additional lymph nodes.
Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized to distant organs.

Gastric Cancer Subtypes

The most common types of gastric cancer include:

Adenocarcinoma: The most prevalent type, originating in the mucus-producing cells of the stomach.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): Rare tumors that develop in the stomach’s connective tissues.
Neuroendocrine Tumors: Cancer arising from hormone-producing cells in the stomach.
Lymphomas: Cancers affecting the immune cells within the stomach.

Related Link

What Is Gastric Cancer?

Essential Testing

Once you have been diagnosed with gastric cancer, additional tests may be required to help guide treatment plans, including:

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Assesses tumor depth and lymph node involvement.
Biomarker Testing: Identifies certain genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample of tissue, blood, or other body fluid.
Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure to check for cancer spread.

Gastric Cancer Biomarkers