Stomach Cancer Diagnosis

A series of laboratory studies are available in order to diagnose stomach cancer. Patients may have one or all of the following exams:

• Upper GI endoscopy is the examination of choice to diagnose gastric cancer. It involves the insertion of a fibre optic camera through the mouth through which the doctor visualizes the lining of the stomach and is also able to take samples of tissue for biopsy.
• Computed tomography or CT scan of the abdomen may also reveal stomach cancer. More importantly, it may determine the stage of the disease as it specifies the spread of the disease to regional lymph nodes and involvement of adjacent or distant organs.
• Diagnostic laparoscopy is a relatively new modality in the diagnosis of stomach cancer. It is mostly used to determine whether the patient presents with advanced disease, thus it would be preferable to be referred for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in order to downstage the disease before opting for surgery.