Diagnostic Modalities
Endoscopy
Endoscopic evaluation, utilizing a flexible tube equipped with a camera, enables direct visualization of the stomach lining, facilitating biopsy collection for histological analysis. This minimally invasive procedure serves as the gold standard for diagnosing stomach cancer, allowing for precise localization and characterization of suspicious lesions.
Imaging Studies
Radiological investigations, including computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, play a pivotal role in staging stomach cancer, delineating the extent of disease spread and guiding therapeutic decision-making.
Laboratory Tests
Serological assays, such as tumor marker analysis for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), may aid in monitoring disease progression and response to treatment, although their utility as standalone diagnostic tools remains limited.