If you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate stomach cancer, it’s essential to consult with your doctor to determine the cause. These symptoms might be due to stomach cancer or other health conditions. To reach an accurate Stomach Cancer Diagnosis, your doctor will employ a series of examinations and tests.
Initially, your doctor will take several steps to understand your health situation better. This process often starts with:
- Reviewing Medical History: Your doctor will inquire about your personal and family medical history to identify potential risk factors for stomach cancer. This includes understanding any pre-existing conditions and family history of cancer.
- Physical Examination: A physical exam will be conducted, which includes palpating your abdomen to check for any unusual lumps or abnormalities.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests are crucial to check for anemia, a condition characterized by a low red blood cell count. Anemia can be an indicator of bleeding in the stomach, which may be associated with stomach cancer.
- Stool Test for Occult Blood: This test examines your stool for hidden (occult) blood. Similar to anemia, occult blood in the stool can suggest bleeding within the stomach.
Based on the results of these initial assessments, your doctor may recommend further, more specific tests to confirm or rule out a stomach cancer diagnosis.
Tests to Diagnose Stomach Cancer
To definitively diagnose stomach cancer, several specialized tests and procedures are available. These tests not only help in diagnosing cancer but also play a vital role in planning your treatment strategy.
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy
Upper endoscopy is a key procedure in stomach cancer diagnosis. It involves using an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a camera at its end. This endoscope is carefully inserted through your mouth and down your throat, allowing the doctor to visualize the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). During the endoscopy, the doctor looks for any abnormal areas or lesions.
The procedure also allows for a biopsy to be performed. If any suspicious areas are identified, the doctor can use tools passed through the endoscope to collect small tissue samples. These samples are then sent to a pathologist, a specialist who examines them under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Furthermore, the tissue sample obtained during the biopsy can be tested for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a known risk factor for stomach cancer. Biomarker testing can also be performed on the tissue sample to identify specific characteristics of the cancer cells, which can guide treatment decisions.
It is important to discuss with your doctor what to expect during and after an upper endoscopy and biopsy. Understanding the process can help alleviate anxiety and prepare you for the procedure. For more detailed information about pathology reports and what they reveal, you can refer to resources on pathology reports.
Barium Swallow
Barium swallow is an imaging technique used in the diagnosis process. It is essentially a series of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach. Before the X-rays are taken, you will be asked to drink a liquid containing barium, a substance that coats the lining of the esophagus and stomach, making them more visible on X-ray images.
As the barium liquid moves through your upper digestive system, X-rays are taken. These images can help identify abnormalities in the shape and lining of the esophagus and stomach, which could be indicative of stomach cancer or other conditions. Barium swallow is also known as an upper GI series.
CT (CAT) Scan
A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, is a more advanced imaging technique that is valuable in stomach cancer diagnosis. It uses X-rays and computer technology to create detailed cross-sectional images of the inside of your body. These scans provide a more comprehensive view compared to standard X-rays.
In some cases, a contrast dye may be administered intravenously or orally before the CT scan. This dye helps to highlight organs and tissues, making them appear more clearly in the images. CT scans can help detect tumors in the stomach and assess if the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs. CT scans are also referred to as computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography. More information about CT scans and their role in cancer diagnosis can be found in resources about CT scans and cancer.
Biomarker Testing
Biomarker testing is a crucial aspect of modern stomach cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Biomarkers are genes, proteins, or other substances that can provide valuable information about cancer. These biomarkers can influence how certain cancer treatments will work for an individual.
For stomach cancer, biomarker testing is typically performed on tissue samples obtained during a biopsy or surgery. These samples are analyzed in a laboratory to determine if specific biomarkers are present in the stomach cancer cells.
Biomarker testing in stomach cancer may include looking for:
- HER2: Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2, a protein that can be overexpressed in some stomach cancers and can be targeted by specific therapies.
- MSI/dMMR: Microsatellite instability and mismatch repair deficiency, biomarkers that can predict response to immunotherapy.
The results of biomarker testing help doctors personalize cancer treatment plans, selecting therapies that are most likely to be effective based on the unique characteristics of the patient’s cancer. To learn more about biomarker testing and its significance in cancer treatment, you can explore resources on biomarker testing for cancer treatment.
Tests to Stage Stomach Cancer
After a stomach cancer diagnosis is confirmed, staging is the next critical step. Staging determines the extent of the cancer, including whether it has spread beyond the stomach to other parts of the body. Knowing the stage of stomach cancer is essential for determining prognosis and planning the most appropriate treatment.
To stage stomach cancer, doctors may use various imaging tests and procedures, which can include:
- CT scans: To assess the extent of tumor spread within the abdomen and to distant organs.
- Endoscopic ultrasound: A procedure combining endoscopy and ultrasound to evaluate the depth of tumor invasion into the stomach wall and nearby lymph nodes.
- PET scan: Positron emission tomography scan, an imaging test that can help detect cancer spread by identifying areas of increased metabolic activity.
- Laparoscopy: In some cases, a surgical procedure to directly examine the abdominal cavity and take tissue samples.
You can find detailed information about the different stages of stomach cancer and their implications in resources dedicated to stomach cancer stages.
Getting a Second Opinion
Seeking a second opinion after a stomach cancer diagnosis is a valuable step. It provides an opportunity to have your diagnosis and treatment plan reviewed by another specialist. For a second opinion, you will need to gather your medical records, test results, and reports from your first doctor to share with the second doctor.
The second doctor will review your pathology reports, slides, and scans before providing their recommendations. A second opinion can confirm your initial diagnosis and treatment plan, suggest alternative approaches, or offer additional insights into your cancer. Getting a second opinion empowers you to make informed decisions about your healthcare.
For guidance on choosing a doctor and obtaining a second opinion, resources on finding health care services are available. Furthermore, preparing a list of questions to ask your doctor during appointments can ensure you receive all the necessary information about your stomach cancer diagnosis and treatment options. For immediate assistance in finding a doctor, hospital, or getting a second opinion, you can contact cancer support services at 1-800-4-CANCER for free information and support in English and Spanish.
