Home > Blog > Can Blood Tests Detect Stomach Cancer?

Can Blood Tests Detect Stomach Cancer?

As an onco-surgeon, I care deeply about the well-being of my patients and ensuring that they get the best possible treatments for their health concerns. When it comes to stomach cancer, early detection is critical for successful treatment. So you may be wondering if a simple blood test can determine whether or not someone has stomach cancer.

In this blog post, I’ll share with you what cancer specialists know about using blood tests in diagnosing or monitoring conditions related to stomach cancer. Read on to learn more about how these tests work and why they are important tools in helping us provide our patients with effective treatments!

Blood tests in cancer detection

These are used to measure levels of certain proteins and other molecules that can indicate the presence of cancer cells in the body. Blood tests for stomach cancer specifically look for elevated levels of substances such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9).

Elevated levels of CEA and CA19-9 may indicate the possible presence of stomach cancer, though they don’t necessarily confirm the diagnosis.

In some cases, a physician may also recommend blood tests to monitor how well a patient is responding to treatment or to determine if their condition is progressing. These tests help us gain insight into how effective treatments are, so we can make decisions about changing course if necessary.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that blood tests alone cannot diagnose or monitor stomach cancer. These tests are simply tools that can give us important information about a patient’s condition.

Also Read –What is the first sign of stomach cancer?

The diagnostics tests to confirm stomach cancer

Unfortunately, the only way to definitively diagnose stomach cancer is through a biopsy or endoscopy. During these procedures, doctors will collect tissue samples from the patient’s stomach and have them examined under a microscope. This is the only way to confirm if someone has stomach cancer or not.

Other supportive tests that can help in diagnosis  include imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, and CT scans. These can be used to look for tumors or other abnormalities in the stomach that may indicate cancer.

What other cancers are detected by blood tests?

In addition to testing for markers of stomach cancer, blood tests can also be used to detect other types of cancer. For example, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are closely monitored in men with prostate cancer and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels may indicate the presence of liver or testicular cancers.

Also Read – How Quickly Does Stomach Cancer grow?

Which cancers do not show up in blood tests?

Although blood tests are useful for detecting and monitoring some forms of cancer, not all cancers can be detected in this way. For example, lung cancer is harder to detect with a blood test as the markers associated with it are not specific enough. In these cases, imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans are more effective at providing helpful information about a patient’s condition.

Conclusion

Blood tests can be valuable tools for detecting and monitoring certain types of cancer, including stomach cancer. However, they cannot definitively diagnose or monitor this condition. Diagnostic testing such as biopsies and endoscopies are essential for confirming the presence of tumors or other abnormalities in the stomach that may indicate cancer. 

In addition, imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans can be helpful in determining whether or not someone has stomach cancer. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that blood tests alone cannot provide an accurate diagnosis of this condition.

If you are concerned about your risk for stomach cancer, contact your doctor right away.