Last reviewed: 26 Jan 2021
Last updated: 18 Apr 2019
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- lymphadenopathy
Other diagnostic factors
- age 50 to 70 years
- male sex
- smoking
- family history
- nausea
- dysphagia
- lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Risk factors
- pernicious anaemia
- Helicobacter pylori
- N-nitroso compounds
- diet low in fruits and vegetables
- high-salt diet
- smoking
- family history
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy
Investigations to consider
- endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- computed tomography of abdomen/pelvis
- chest x-ray
- computed tomography of chest
- laparoscopy
- positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Associate Professor
Department of GI Medical Oncology
University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston
TX
Disclosures
MBM declares that she has no competing interests.
Dr Mariela Blum Murphy would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Valerie Reed and Dr Prajnan Das, previous contributors to this topic.
Disclosures
VR and PD declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Director
Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston
MA
Disclosures
TH declares that he has no competing interests.
Head of Department
Department of Gastroenterology
Sana Klinikum
Remscheid
Germany
Disclosures
AL declares that he has no competing interests.
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