Esophageal or stomach cancer

If your physician suspects esophageal or stomach cancer, you may wonder what exactly is wrong, and what your treatment options are. The Netherlands Cancer Institute offers rapid diagnostics for an increasing number of tumor types such as esophageal and stomach cancer. If possible, all diagnostic tests required to diagnose you will take place on the same day. You may need additional diagnostic tests to find the tumor's exact location and to see if the cancer has spread. Plans for additional testing will be made during your rapid diagnostics.

Multidisciplinary team meeting

Your results will be discussed during a multidisciplinary team meeting involving all specialists (from our Gastrointestinal, Medical Oncology, Radiology, Nuclear Health, Pathology, Radiation Oncology, and Surgery departments) involved in diagnosing and treating esophageal and stomach cancer. You will receive your results, as well as a preliminary treatment plan, directly after. You may need to come in for additional tests or consultation before we can give you a definite treatment plan.

What to expect

Once your registration by your general practitioner or practicing physician is complete, you will be contacted by the Netherlands Cancer Institute’s clinical planning department. They will let you know whether rapid diagnostics is an option for you, and can tell you more about the process.

Rapid diagnostics is a demanding process and can be exhausting. You will undergo various diagnostics tests and have scheduled consultations with many physicians during the day. We expect any patient undergoing our Rapid Diagnostics to be physically able to handle such a day. We also recommend bringing a loved one for support.

Preparations and tests

You will receive a letter from our planning department, containing information about what to bring to your consultation. Please read this letter carefully and fill out the questionnaire(s), if applicable. This can help you feel more prepared for your consultations, and will allow you to come up with questions before your visit.

Our planning department can tell you more about the diagnostic tests you will need. The exact tests will depend on your personal situation. Some of the diagnostic tests you can expect during your rapid diagnostics for esophaegal or stomach cancer are: a blood test, a PET/CT scan, a CT scan, and sometimes an ultrasound. You may need to come in for additional tests, such as a gastroscopy or an endoscopic ultrasound. You may receive your results during a consultation at a later time.

Esophageal or stomach cancer

Multidisciplinary team meeting

What to expect

Preparations and tests

This website uses cookies