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- Imaging
- • X-rays of the upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI series) by standard and double-contrast methods may find
- larger ulcer lesions.
- • Chest x-rays.
- • CT scan of the abdomen.
- • Bone scan if the bone enzyme alkaline phosphatase is elevated in the serum.
- • Ultrasound to help measure tumor size and predict recurrence .
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- Endoscopy and Biopsy
- • Examination of the stomach through a gastroscope inserted through the esophagus (fiberoptic endoscopy) may
- find ulcers and masses. It is the most definitive test for diagnosing stomach cancer. Seventy percent of early
- malignant ulcers may look benign and even heal, but are usually positive on biopsy.
- • A small piece of tissue may be removed from any suspicious area for biopsy analysis by a pathologist , or a
- brush can be passed through the gastroscope to obtain cells in a way similar to a Pap smear. Tissue and brush
- biopsies can diagnose 98 percent of cases.
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