How Stomach Cancer is Diagnosed: Complete Guide for Patients
When stomach pain becomes more than occasional discomfort, it’s natural to worry. If your doctor suspects stomach cancer, you probably have many questions about what happens next. Understanding how stomach cancer is diagnosed can help ease your anxiety and prepare you for the journey ahead.
The good news? Early diagnosis makes a real difference. When stomach cancer is found early, treatment works much better—survival rates reach 70% in early stages compared to just 6% in later stages.
This guide explains every step of the stomach cancer diagnosis process in simple terms. You’ll learn about the tests, what they involve, and what your results mean.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Stomach cancer often grows quietly in its early stages. About 70% of cases are found late because symptoms feel like regular digestive problems. Many people ignore heartburn, bloating, or stomach upset for months before seeing a doctor.
Countries like Japan and South Korea screen people regularly for gastric cancer and catch it much earlier. In other parts of the world, we usually only test when symptoms appear.
Who Should Get Tested?
You should talk to your doctor about stomach cancer screening if you:
- Are over 50 years old
- Have had H. pylori infection
- Have family members who had stomach cancer
- Had previous stomach surgery or chronic gastritis
- Experience persistent digestive symptoms
Warning Signs That Need Attention
Don’t ignore these symptoms if they last more than three weeks:
- Constant heartburn or indigestion
- Losing weight without trying (10+ pounds)
- Feeling full after eating very little
- Nausea or vomiting (especially with blood)
- Stomach pain that won’t go away
- Bloating after every meal
- Blood in stool or black, tarry stools
While these symptoms don’t always mean cancer, checking them early is important.
The Diagnostic Process: What to Expect
Step 1: Initial Doctor Visit
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and family health background. They’ll examine your stomach area and may order blood tests to check for anemia, liver function, and tumor markers. A stool test can detect hidden blood.
Step 2: Endoscopy (Gastroscopy) – The Main Test
Upper endoscopy is the most accurate way to diagnose stomach cancer. Here’s what happens:
Your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look inside your stomach. You’ll receive medicine to help you relax, so most people don’t remember the procedure. It takes about 15-30 minutes.
The doctor looks for unusual tissue, ulcers, or growths. Endoscopy catches abnormalities with 95-99% accuracy. You might have a slightly sore throat afterward, but serious discomfort is rare.
Step 3: Biopsy – Confirming the Diagnosis
During the endoscopy, your doctor takes small tissue samples from suspicious areas. A lab specialist examines these samples under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Results usually come back in 5-7 days.
Taking samples from multiple spots increases accuracy to 98%. The biopsy tells your doctor if you have cancer and what type it is.
Step 4: Imaging Tests for Staging
Once stomach cancer is confirmed, imaging tests show if it has spread:
▸CT Scan: Takes detailed pictures of your stomach, lymph nodes, liver, and other organs. This test is 77-89% accurate for staging and takes 30-45 minutes.
▸PET Scan: Shows metabolically active cancer cells throughout your body. Doctors often combine it with CT for better results.
▸Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Uses sound waves to see how deep the tumor has grown into your stomach wall. It’s 85-90% accurate for determining tumor depth.
Step 5: Understanding Your Stage
Doctors use the TNM system to describe stomach cancer:
- T (Tumor): How deep cancer has grown into your stomach wall
- N (Nodes): Whether it spread to nearby lymph nodes
- M (Metastasis): Whether it spread to distant organs
Stage 0: Cancer only in the inner lining (90%+ five-year survival) Stage I: Early cancer with limited spread (60-80% survival) Stage II-III: Spread to lymph nodes or deeper tissues (20-50% survival) Stage IV: Spread to distant organs (5-6% survival)
Your stage determines which treatments will work best.
Additional Tests
▸H. Pylori Testing: This bacterial infection causes 60-70% of stomach cancers. Testing uses breath, stool, or biopsy samples.
▸Tumor Markers: Blood tests measure proteins like CEA and CA 19-9. These don’t diagnose cancer alone but help monitor treatment.
▸Laparoscopy: In some cases, surgeons make small incisions to look directly at your stomach and nearby organs.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What stage is my stomach cancer, and what does that mean?
- Should I get a second opinion on my biopsy results?
- What treatment options do I have?
- What’s my prognosis based on my specific situation?
- Are there clinical trials I could join?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can blood tests alone diagnose stomach cancer?
No. Blood tests show abnormalities, but you need endoscopy and biopsy for a definite diagnosis.
Q2. How long does diagnosis take?
From first symptoms to confirmed diagnosis usually takes 2-4 weeks, including all tests and biopsy results.
Q3. What if my biopsy is negative but symptoms continue?
Talk to your doctor about repeat testing. False negatives happen in 5-10% of cases.
Get Expert Help in Pune
If you’ve been diagnosed with stomach cancer or have concerning symptoms, getting the right care quickly matters.
Prolife Cancer Centre in Pune offers complete care for stomach cancer patients. Led by Dr. Sumit Shah, a specialist in cancers, the center provides:
✓ Modern diagnostic technology and imaging
✓ Treatment plans designed for your specific needs
✓ Multiple treatment options including surgery and chemotherapy
✓ Support services for patients and families
Early action improves outcomes. Schedule your consultation today.
📞 Contact Prolife Cancer Centre
📍 Stomach Cancer Treatment in Pune
🩺 Dr. Sumit Shah – Cancer Specialist
Your health deserves immediate attention. Reach out to Dr. Sumit Shah and the team at Prolife Cancer Centre for stomach cancer treatment in Pune.