Gastric Cancer facts and information
Diagnosing Gastric Cancer
If your doctor suspects that you have gastric cancer, they will ask about your health history, conduct lab tests, and refer you to a gastroenterologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Diagnostic Tests
Physical Exam
Your doctor examines your abdomen, gently feeling for fluid, swelling, or any unusual changes. They may also check the size of your lymph nodes, which are small glands that can swell during an immune system response.
Endoscopy
An endoscopy allows the doctor to see the inside of your stomach. First, your doctor will give you numbing medicine (anesthetic) to dull any feeling in your throat. Then, they will insert a lighted, flexible tube with a tiny camera into your mouth and down your throat (esophagus).
Biopsy
Your doctor uses a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera and light at the end (endoscope) to take a small sample of your stomach tissue. A pathologist will then examine this sample under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Having a biopsy done is the only way to know for certain whether cancer cells are in the body.
CT Scan
An x-ray machine captures detailed images of your organs and projects them to a computer screen. You might also get an injection of dye to enhance visibility of abnormal areas. Tumors that have spread to your liver, pancreas, or elsewhere in the body can show up on a CT scan.
Barium Swallow
A barium swallow is an X-ray test that is less invasive than an endoscopy. First, you swallow a chalky solution that contains barium, a silver-white metallic substance. The barium coats the inner lining of your stomach, esophagus, and small intestine. When the doctor views the X ray, the barium coating helps your doctors clearly see any abnormalities in the lining of these organs.
Chest X-Ray
Similar to a CT scan, this test involves using an x-ray machine to create a visual image of the inside of your chest. This can be used to determine if tumors have spread into your lungs.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Similar to an endoscopy, your doctor guides a thin, illuminated tube (endoscope) down your throat. However, in an endoscopic ultrasound, the endoscope has a small sensor on the end that releases inaudible sound waves, which bounce off your stomach tissues and organs. A computer then creates a picture from these echoes, revealing the depth of cancer invasion within the stomach wall. Your doctor might also use a needle to take tissue samples from your lymph nodes. Endoscopic ultrasounds are a test that is used for staging your condition.
Laparoscopy
Talk to your doctor about getting your biomarkers tested.
Biomarker Testing
Why is testing biomarkers important in gastric cancer treatment?
In the past, everyone with a specific type of cancer received similar drug or surgery plans, but new research has shown that tumors, even within the same cancer type, can differ among patients. Doctors can now provide personalized and improved care by matching treatments to a patient’s unique set of biomarkers, which are characteristics that can be measured to provide insights into biological processes. Gastric cancer biomarkers can include genes, proteins or specific substances produced by the tumor.
To learn more about specific biomarkers that are used to treat gastric cancer, visit our Biomarkers and Gastric Cancer page.
Staging
Staging is a crucial process that helps doctors decide what type of treatment options are best for your condition. The different stages of cancer progression are based on how much the tumor has moved into the stomach wall, if it has spread to nearby tissues, and whether there is potential for the cancer to spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, staging is only possible after removing the tumor and nearby lymph nodes through surgery.
Stage 0
The tumor is found only in the inner layer of the stomach.
Stage I
The tumor has invaded only the submucosa. Cancer cells may be found in up to 6 lymph nodes. Or, the tumor has invaded the muscle layer or subserosa. Cancer cells have not spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
Stage II
The tumor has invaded only the submucosa. Cancer cells have spread to 7 to 15 lymph nodes.
Or, the tumor has invaded the muscle layer or subserosa. Cancer cells have spread to 1 to 6 lymph nodes.
Or, the tumor has penetrated the outer layer of the stomach. Cancer cells have not spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
Stage III
The tumor has invaded the muscle layer or subserosa. Cancer cells have spread to 7 to 15 lymph nodes.
Or, the tumor has penetrated the outer layer. Cancer cells have spread to 1 to 15 lymph nodes.
Or, the tumor has invaded nearby organs, such as the liver, colon, or spleen. Cancer cells have not spread to lymph nodes or to distant organs.
Stage IV
Cancer cells have spread to more than 15 lymph nodes.
Or, the tumor has invaded nearby organs and at least 1 lymph node.
Or, cancer cells have spread to distant organs.
Second Opinion
Consider getting a second opinion from a specialist before starting treatment.
Seeking a second opinion is a necessary and proactive step that can empower you to make informed decisions about your healthcare journey. Another doctor could confirm your original diagnosis, propose a different diagnosis, or suggest additional treatment options. Having a second opinion lets you learn more about your diagnosis and allows you to make the best decision for your situation.
Gastric cancer is a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary treatment team. To get a comprehensive assessment of your condition, try to visit a cancer center, as they often incorporate a collaborative approach into treatment planning. Alternatively, you should consider seeking out a specialist in gastroenterological cancer for recommendations.
I have been diagnosed with gastric cancer… What now?
There are many options to consider in your treatment planning. We are here to help you navigate next steps with your healthcare team.