Expert Gastric Adeno Doctor - Dr. Bharat Pothuri

Dr. Pothuri uses a step-by-step approach:

Medical History and Exam

He starts with a description of your pain-onset, location, nature, timing, aggravating or alleviating of the agony, and inquires whether you have any other related symptoms of nausea, vomiting, loss of weight accidentally, early satiety. He investigates individual and family risk factors, such as H. pylori infection, diet, smoking, alcohol intake and gastritis or gastric polyps.

Blood Tests

Laboratory studies include:

• Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia from chronic bleeding
• Liver function tests to evaluate metastasis or liver involvement
• H. pylori serology or stool antigen to identify infection
• Tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9) when indicated

Endoscopy and Biopsy

• Upper endoscopy (EGD) to directly visualize the gastric lining and pinpoint lesions
• Targeted biopsies of any suspicious areas to obtain tissue for histopathology and confirm adenocarcinoma

Imaging Studies

• Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis to stage the tumor and detect lymph node or distant spread
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to assess tumor depth (T-stage) and regional lymph node involvement (N-stage)
• PET/CT scan in select cases to identify occult metastases or guide treatment planning

Genetic and Molecular Testing (if needed)

In case of the advanced or inoperable tumours, Dr. Pothuri can request HER2/neu testing, PD-L1 or other molecular expression to personalize a targeted therapy or immunotherapy.