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I Understand The Standard Test For Gastric Cancer Is An

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Posted on Wed, 12 Jun 2019
Question: I understand the standard test for gastric cancer is an endoscopy, but my question is if you had both an abdomen ultrasound and an MRI of the abdomen both with and without contrast what is the probability both tests would not identify a gastric cancer? Thanks
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (0 minute later)
I understand the standard test for gastric cancer is an endoscopy, but my question is if you had both an abdomen ultrasound and an MRI of the abdomen both with and without contrast what is the probability both tests would not identify a gastric cancer? Thanks
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (57 minutes later)
The MRI states stomach unremarkable and the ultrasound says nothing! Thanks!
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (0 minute later)
The MRI states stomach unremarkable and the ultrasound says nothing! Thanks!
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (6 hours later)
Only symptom RUQ intermittent pain
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (0 minute later)
Only symptom RUQ intermittent pain
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (10 hours later)
Some heartburn but used Nexium for 2 weeks
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (0 minute later)
Some heartburn but used Nexium for 2 weeks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please get an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy done

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

A cancer is a very general term and there can can large obvious cancerous lesions, suspicious cancerous lesions and occult cancerous lesions.

A MRI contrast scan can pick up large cancers and suspicious wall irregularities if the stomach is in distended state.

Occult cancers may not be visualised even on MRI scan if there is no sufficient wall involvement.

An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the best test to look for any luminal ulcers and for any mucosal changes. There are not well captured in MRI images.

Ultrasound scan abdomen does not give an adequate visualisation of the stomach in all patients and therefore the stomach findings are not regularly mentioned in the ultrasound scan report.

A right upper quadrant pain can be from many causes and I understand your gall bladder has been evaluated in the ultrasound and MRI scans.

If not done, please discuss an endoscopy with your doctors to know if there can be any small ulcer or occult lesion in the lumen of the stomach.

Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Please get an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy done

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

A cancer is a very general term and there can can large obvious cancerous lesions, suspicious cancerous lesions and occult cancerous lesions.

A MRI contrast scan can pick up large cancers and suspicious wall irregularities if the stomach is in distended state.

Occult cancers may not be visualised even on MRI scan if there is no sufficient wall involvement.

An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the best test to look for any luminal ulcers and for any mucosal changes. There are not well captured in MRI images.

Ultrasound scan abdomen does not give an adequate visualisation of the stomach in all patients and therefore the stomach findings are not regularly mentioned in the ultrasound scan report.

A right upper quadrant pain can be from many causes and I understand your gall bladder has been evaluated in the ultrasound and MRI scans.

If not done, please discuss an endoscopy with your doctors to know if there can be any small ulcer or occult lesion in the lumen of the stomach.

Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6873 Questions

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I Understand The Standard Test For Gastric Cancer Is An

I understand the standard test for gastric cancer is an endoscopy, but my question is if you had both an abdomen ultrasound and an MRI of the abdomen both with and without contrast what is the probability both tests would not identify a gastric cancer? Thanks