Stomach Cancer Diagnosis

Because stomach cancer often does not have symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body or has symptoms that are mistaken for other conditions, it can be challenging to diagnose.

However, it is important for stomach cancer to be diagnosed as soon and as accurately as possible. This helps increase your odds for successful treatment and lowers the chance of side effects.

The experts at MD Anderson are among the most skilled and experienced in diagnosing and staging stomach cancer. They use specialized advanced technology with pinpoint focus and reliable outcomes.

Precise Diagnostic Tools

In addition to standard diagnostic procedures, MD Anderson offers endoscopic ultrasound, which gives specially trained doctors the ability to look inside the stomach and examine its walls for stomach cancer or pre-cancerous changes. This test, which is not available at many cancer centers, also allows physicians to view and biopsy the lymph nodes around the stomach.

Because stomach cancer can spread inside the abdomen and often is not detectable by any other means, specialists at MD Anderson often perform staging laparoscopies, which are minimally invasive procedures to see if tumors have spread in abdomen.

Researchers at MD Anderson were involved in recent studies to differentiate between gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) with near perfect accuracy. This will have wider application in more individualized diagnosis and treatment of stomach cancer and other types of cancer.

Stomach Cancer Diagnostic Tests

If you have symptoms that may signal stomach cancer, your doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your health, your lifestyle, including smoking and drinking habits, and your family medical history.

If stomach cancer is suspected, early tests may include:

• X-rays of the gastrointestinal tract
• Testing a stool sample for traces of blood

In addition, one or more of the following tests may be used to find out if you have stomach cancer, if it has spread or if treatment is working.

Biopsy: A biopsy is the removal of tissue to examine under a microscope. Different methods are available to obtain the tissue, depending on where it is located. In stomach cancer, biopsies usually are performed by endoscopy. An endoscope is inserted through the mouth, nose or an incision into the esophagus and stomach. The endoscope has a tool to remove tissue samples for examination.

Imaging tests, which may include:

• CT or CAT (computed axial tomography) scans
• PET (positron emission tomography) scans
• MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)
• Chest and dental X-rays

Endoscopic ultrasound: Using specialized equipment, doctors insert an endoscope equipped with a small ultrasound device into the stomach. It produces sound waves that produce an image on a video screen.

Barium swallow: Also called an upper GI (gastrointestinal) series, this set of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach may be used to look for stomach cancer.

Blood tests, which may include:

• Complete blood count (CBC) to look for anemia (low level of red blood cells) that may be caused by internal bleeding
• β-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin), CA-125 and CEA(carcinoembryonic antigen) assays that measure certain chemicals in the blood

Behavioral and lifestyle changes can help prevent stomach cancer. Visit our prevention and screening section to learn how to manage your risk.

In rare cases, stomach cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Visit our genetic testing page to learn more.