Stomach Cancer Diagnosis

The first step in stomach cancer diagnosis starts with a complete checkup and an understanding of your family history. This will help identify known stomach cancer risks.

If you are experiencing some of the most common stomach cancer symptoms, such as:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Jaundice
• Vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain

It is important that you see your doctor immediately to help diagnosis the problem. This may include telling your doctor about:

• Family history of cancer, especially stomach caner
• Lifestyle habits, such as what you eat and whether or not you smoke
• Any previous stomach surgeries or stomach ulcers
• Any pain or discomfort you are experiencing

Stomach Cancer: Advanced Diagnosis Options

In addition to taking a full family history and a physical examination, there are several advanced diagnosis methods we may use to help identify the presence of stomach cancer. This may include:

• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) to check for hidden blood in feces. Learn more about fecal occult blood test.
• Upper endoscopy to check for presence of abnormal cells. Learn more about upper endoscopy.
• Upper GI series, a diagnostic test and X-ray series of the digestive system. Learn more about upper GI series.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) test: H. pylori is a bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. We identify it through breath test or biopsy.
• Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive surgery to explore the inside of the abdomen. Learn more about laparoscopic surgery.

Learn more about stomach cancer treatment at Stanford.