Stomach cancer diagnosis

Understanding a stomach cancer diagnosis

Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, develops when cancerous cells form in the stomach lining. Accurate diagnosis is essential for creating an effective treatment plan.

At Penn Medicine, obtaining a precise gastric cancer diagnosis is the first step toward customized treatment options. Our experienced specialists use advanced diagnostic techniques and are committed to exploring innovative methods for detecting and treating gastric cancer.

How is stomach cancer diagnosed at Penn Medicine?

Diagnosing stomach cancer involves an exam with a gastroenterologist and may include several different types of tests. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, risk factors, and family history of cancer. They’ll do a physical exam that may include checking for a mass in your abdomen. They’ll also talk with you about any blood tests and imaging tests you may need.

Stomach cancer stages

10Cancer staging describes how far the cancer has progressed in the body, including the tumor’s size, whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and if it has metastasized to distant organs. The stages are typically determined by a globally recognized cancer staging system called the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. TNM stands for Tumor (T), which measures the tumor’s size, Node (N), which looks at the involvement of lymph nodes by cancer cells, and Metastasis (M) to determine if the cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Staging helps guide stomach cancer treatment decisions. Gastric cancer stages are typically categorized as follows:

  • Stage 0: Abnormal cells have been identified in the innermost layer of the stomach wall, called the mucosa. At this stage, the abnormal cells may turn into cancer.
  • Stage I: The cancer has spread to the connective tissues between the mucosa and muscle layer, called the submucosa, and a few nearby lymph nodes.
  • Stage II: The cancer has spread to additional lymph nodes, muscle layers, or tissues in the outermost layer of the stomach wall called the serosa.
  • Stage III: The cancer has spread to additional lymph nodes, tissues in the outermost layer of the stomach wall, or nearby organs, such as the spleen, colon, liver, and other organs in the abdomen.
  • Stage IV: Also called metastatic stomach cancer, at this stage, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as distant lymph nodes and organs, such as the lungs.

Each of these stages of stomach cancer may have substages determined by specific characteristics.

Advantages of stomach cancer diagnosis at Penn Medicine

Our approach to a stomach cancer diagnosis and treatment provides better outcomes and gives you access to the most advanced treatment, surgical techniques, and clinical trials. If you’re diagnosed with gastric cancer, we’ll work together to create a customized treatment plan tailored to meet your unique needs.

National Cancer Institute Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center badge on top of shot of hospital

Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute

Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.

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