What tests can confirm gastric cancer?

The diagnosis of gastric cancer needs to be confirmed by pathological examination. Imaging examinations such as CT and MRI can only provide preliminary morphological information. Understanding the specific functions and processes of these examinations can help us better deal with and prevent gastric cancer.

1. The role of imaging examinations: Imaging examinations such as CT and MRI can show morphological changes in the stomach, such as the size and location of the mass and its relationship with surrounding tissues. This information is very important for doctors to judge the nature and extent of the lesion, but it is limited to the macroscopic level and cannot provide details at the cellular level. It's like looking at a table. We can judge that it looks like a wooden table by its color and shape, but to know the material, we still need a more in-depth examination.

2. Importance of endoscopic examination: Endoscopic examination is a common method for gastric cancer screening, which can directly observe the situation inside the stomach. Through the endoscope, the doctor can see the specific changes in the gastric mucosa and perform a biopsy when abnormalities are found. Biopsy refers to the removal of a small piece of tissue under the guidance of an endoscope for pathological analysis, which is the key step in diagnosing gastric cancer.

3. Confirmation of pathological examination: Pathological examination is the gold standard for confirming gastric cancer. By observing the morphology and structure of cells under a microscope, pathologists can determine whether cancer cells are present. Although this examination takes a certain amount of time, its results are the most reliable.

4. Auxiliary role of blood tests: Although blood tests cannot directly diagnose gastric cancer, abnormal increases in some tumor markers such as CEA and CA19-9 may indicate the presence of gastric cancer. These indicators can serve as auxiliary information to help doctors judge the condition and treatment effect.

5. Combining multiple examination methods: A single examination method often cannot fully reflect the condition, and doctors usually combine multiple examination results for comprehensive analysis. Imaging examinations provide overall morphological information, endoscopy and pathological examinations provide details and confirmed information, and blood tests provide biochemical clues.

6. The importance of regular physical examinations and early screening: For gastric cancer, early detection and treatment are the key to improving the cure rate. Especially for people with a family history of gastric cancer or other high-risk factors, regular gastroscopy is very important.

7. Psychological preparation and positive response: It is also important to maintain a positive attitude and psychological preparation when facing the examination and diagnosis of gastric cancer. Understanding the process and purpose of the examination can reduce unnecessary fear and anxiety.

By understanding the various examination methods for confirming gastric cancer, we can better cooperate with doctors for diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular physical examinations are effective measures to prevent gastric cancer. I hope this information can provide you with practical help and guidance.