Diagnosis and Staging

Diagnosis. Symptoms associated with gastric cancer are vague and can easily be attributed to other medical conditions, such as ulcers. That is why careful monitoring of symptoms is essential to properly diagnosing the disease. The most common diagnostic test used is a procedure referred to as an upper endoscopy (EGD), which involves a small endoscopic tube fitted with a fiber optic camera. Other tests used in both diagnosis and staging include barium swallow, biopsy, and CT scan—all of which are performed with the latest technologies at The Lacks Cancer Center.

Staging. Once gastric cancer has been diagnosed, it is important that the stage be determined in order to provide the most effective treatment. Most often the staging is done with a combination of the findings from the EGD and CT scan procedures—helping us establish both the size of the tumor, and its spread (metastasis) outside of the stomach.

To schedule a diagnostic procedure, or to consult with our Multidisciplinary GI Clinic, simply ask your primary care physician for a referral or make a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).