Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Cancer of the stomach

Diagnosis is often made when the disease is at a late stage at treatment options are limited. This is why it is important to see your GP as soon as you start to experience symptoms, such as persistent indigestion, especially if you are over the age of 40.

Your GP will look at your full medical history and ask you about your symptoms. You will normally have a blood test and be asked to give a stool sample for examination.

An endoscopy is the most common test for stomach cancer. This involves having a sedative before having a small flexible viewing tube put down your throat and into your stomach. You will also have a sample of tissue taken (biopsy) for examination. It takes about 15 minutes and you may have a sore throat afterwards.

A test called a barium-meal X-ray will show up stomach cancer in 90% of cases. It involves swallowing liquid, called barium, that shows up on the X-ray as it passes through your digestive system.

If stomach cancer is discovered, it is important to find out what stage it is at to help you and your GP decide the most appropriate course of treatment.Computerised tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) and ultrasound scanning can also be helpful.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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