Stomach cancer

Last reviewed: 22 Feb 2023
Last updated: 26 May 2022

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • abdominal pain
  • weight loss
  • lymphadenopathy
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • age 50 to 70 years
  • male sex
  • smoking
  • family history
  • nausea
  • dysphagia
  • lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • pernicious anemia
  • Helicobacter pylori
  • N-nitroso compounds
  • diet low in fruits and vegetables
  • high-salt diet
  • smoking
  • family history
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy
  • CBC
  • comprehensive metabolic panel
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • CT of chest/abdomen/pelvis
  • endoscopic ultrasound
  • laparoscopy
  • PET/CT scan
More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

localized: suitable for surgery

localized: not suitable for surgery

advanced and metastatic disease

Contributors

Authors

Mariela Blum Murphy, MD

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.

Ahmed Abdelhakeem, MD

Resident Physician

Department of Internal Medicine

Sam Houston State University

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas

Beaumont

TX

Disclosures

AA declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Mariela Blum Murphy and Dr Ahmed Abdelhakeem 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

Theodore Hong, MD

Director

Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Boston

MA

Disclosures

TH declares that he has no competing interests.

Andreas Leodolter, MD

Head of Department

Department of Gastroenterology

Sana Klinikum

Remscheid

Germany

Disclosures

AL declares that he has no competing interests.

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