 | | | | | Stomach Cancer More info on this condition | |
| | | Diagnosis | | | | | To diagnose stomach cancer, doctors rely on one or more of the following tests:
- Fecal occult blood test: Checks for occult (hidden) blood in the stool by examining a small amount of stool on a plastic slide or paper. Noncancerous conditions can also cause bleeding, so a positive test is not necessarily indicative of cancer. A negative test does not necessarily rule out stomach cancer, since bleeding is relatively uncommon in stomach cancers.
- Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series: X-rays of the stomach and esophagus are taken after the patient drinks a thick chalky liquid called a barium solution. This solution outlines the stomach, helping doctors spot tumors. A normal upper GI series also does not necessarily rule out stomach cancer.
- Endoscopy: A thin, lighted tube, called a gastroscope, is inserted into the stomach through the mouth. This allows the doctor to look directly at the stomach and take a biopsy (remove a sample of abnormal-looking tissue) so it can be evaluated. This is the most accurate way to diagnose a stomach cancer.
- Endoscopic ultrasound: This test is used for patients undergoing an upper endoscopy. The endoscope has an ultrasound probe on the end, which releases high frequency sound waves. These waves deflect off the stomach wall to create an image and can help determine if a tumor has invaded through the stomach wall.
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