How to diagnose gastric cancer

The diagnosis of gastric cancer needs to be confirmed by pathological examination. Doctors use a microscope to observe the changes in cell morphology of tissue samples to determine whether it is cancer.

1. The importance of pathological examination

Pathological examination is a key step in diagnosing gastric cancer. The doctor will remove a small piece of tissue from the patient's body and observe it in detail under a microscope. This process is like carefully looking at the details of a painting through a magnifying glass to look for abnormalities. Only in this way can the doctor confirm whether the cells have become cancerous.

2. The role of gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is an important tool for diagnosing gastric cancer. It allows doctors to directly observe the condition of the stomach and find abnormal tissue or masses. Although gastroscopy can provide macroscopic visual information, a biopsy is usually required to determine whether these abnormalities are cancer. A biopsy is to obtain tissue samples from suspicious areas with the help of a gastroscope for further pathological analysis.

3. Necessity of biopsy

Biopsy is an essential step in diagnosing gastric cancer. Even if gastroscopy finds abnormalities, only biopsy can obtain microscopic information and confirm the specific changes in cells. It is like seeing the color changes of rocks from the surface of a mountain. Only by taking samples for testing can the composition of the rocks be determined.

4. The auxiliary role of imaging examination

In addition to endoscopy and pathology examination, imaging tests such as CT and MRI can also help evaluate the spread of cancer. These tests can provide detailed images of the inside of the body and help doctors determine whether the cancer has invaded other organs.

5. Additional information on blood tests

Blood tests can provide some clues about stomach cancer, such as levels of tumor markers. These markers may be elevated in some cancer patients and, while not used alone for diagnosis, can serve as additional information.

6. The importance of early screening

Early screening is very important to improve the cure rate of gastric cancer. For people with a family history of gastric cancer or high risk factors, regular gastroscopy is very necessary. It is like regular maintenance of a car, timely detection of potential problems, and avoidance of greater damage.

Through the combined use of these methods, doctors can diagnose gastric cancer more accurately and develop appropriate treatment plans. Understanding these examination methods can not only help us better understand the diagnosis process of gastric cancer, but also remind us to pay attention to early screening and prevention.