Diagnosing stomach cancer
To diagnose stomach cancer you usually start by seeing your GP. You will then be referred to hospital for an endoscopy.
Going to your GP
To diagnose stomach cancer you usually start by meeting your GP. They will ask about your symptoms and examine you. You may have blood tests to check your general health.
Tests for stomach cancer
If your GP is not sure what the problem is, or thinks you may have cancer, they will refer you to hospital for a test called an endoscopy. This is a test that looks at the lining of your food pipe (oesophagus), stomach and duodenum (the first part of your small bowel).
If your GP thinks you may have cancer, they will make an urgent referral for an appointment. This means your GP is asking for a specialist appointment for you within 2 weeks or as soon as the clinic can arrange it.
At the hospital
If the endoscopy shows that you might have cancer, you will meet a specialist doctor. This is usually a surgeon who specialises in gastrointestinal cancers. Or you may meet a gastroenterologist who specialises in treating stomach and digestive problems. You may also meet a specialist nurse.
The specialist doctor will ask you about your general health and any previous medical problems. They will also examine you.
You may have:
- blood tests to check your general health
- chest x-ray to check your general health.
The specialist doctor or nurse will talk to you about your endoscopy results and arrange further tests.
Further tests
If the biopsy results from your endoscopy show there are cancer cells, your doctor will arrange more tests. These are to find out:
- which layers of the stomach wall the cancer is in
- whether the cancer has spread outside the stomach.
Further tests may include:
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CT scan
A CT scan makes a detailed picture of the inside of the body. The picture is built up using x-rays taken by the CT scanner.
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PET or PET-CT scan
A PET scan uses a low dose of radiation to check the activity of cells in different parts of the body. You may have a PET scan and a CT scan together. This is called a PET-CT scan. It can give more detailed information about cancer or abnormal areas seen on other scans.
An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is like an endoscopy, but the end of the endoscope has an ultrasound probe on it.
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Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy is a small operation which is done under a general anaesthetic. The surgeon uses a camera (called a laparoscope) to look at the outside of the stomach, and the organs nearby. They may also take biopsies to check for cancer cells.
Waiting for test results can be a difficult time. We have more information that can help.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our stomach cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Lordick F, Carneiro S, Cascinu T, Fleitas K, Haustermans G, Piessen A, et al. Gastric cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology. 2022;33(10): 1005–1020. Available from www.doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2022.07.004 [accessed July 2023].
National Institute for Care and Health Excellence. Oesophago-gastric cancer: assessment and management in adults NICE guideline [NG83]. 2018. Available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng83 [accessed July 2023].
Dr Chris Jones
Reviewer
Speciality Registrar in Clinical Oncologist and Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Oncology
Date reviewed
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