What causes gastric adenocarcinoma?

Gastric adenocarcinoma is caused by chronic inflammation and damage to stomach lining cells over many years. The primary causes include Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection, autoimmune gastritis where the immune system attacks stomach cells, long-term acid reflux, smoking, and dietary factors like high salt intake and preserved foods. Autoimmune gastritis, detected by parietal cell antibodies, destroys acid-producing cells and creates an inflammatory environment that increases cancer risk decades later.

What is the best test for gastric adenocarcinoma?

The Parietal Cell Antibody ELISA is the most important blood test for gastric adenocarcinoma risk assessment because it detects autoimmune gastritis, a major risk factor for developing stomach cancer. This test identifies antibodies attacking the stomach lining cells, indicating chronic inflammation that can lead to cancer over time. While gastric adenocarcinoma itself is diagnosed through endoscopy and biopsy, this blood test helps identify high-risk individuals who need closer monitoring and preventive care to catch precancerous changes early.

When should I get tested for gastric adenocarcinoma risk?

You should get tested if you have a family history of stomach cancer, persistent stomach pain or indigestion, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or a diagnosis of pernicious anemia or autoimmune conditions. Testing is especially important if you have chronic H. pylori infection, long-standing acid reflux, or belong to high-risk groups with gastric cancer in the family. Early detection of risk factors allows for preventive monitoring and intervention before cancer develops.

What are the symptoms of gastric adenocarcinoma?

Early gastric adenocarcinoma often causes no symptoms, but as it progresses you might notice persistent indigestion, stomach pain or discomfort, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, feeling full after eating small amounts, difficulty swallowing, bloody or black stools, and persistent fatigue. Many people mistake early symptoms for common stomach problems, which is why risk assessment through blood testing is valuable for those with predisposing conditions like autoimmune gastritis.

Who is at risk for gastric adenocarcinoma?

People at highest risk include those with chronic H. pylori infection, autoimmune gastritis or pernicious anemia, a family history of stomach cancer, history of stomach polyps or previous stomach surgery, long-term acid reflux or GERD, smoking habits, and diets high in smoked, salted, or preserved foods. Risk increases with age, particularly after 50, and is higher in men than women. Asian, Hispanic, and African American populations have higher rates than Caucasians.

What happens if gastric adenocarcinoma is left untreated?

Untreated gastric adenocarcinoma spreads to nearby lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and bones, making it much harder to treat successfully. The cancer grows through the stomach wall, causes severe bleeding and anemia, blocks food passage leading to malnutrition, and causes severe pain and fluid buildup in the abdomen. Early-stage gastric adenocarcinoma has much better treatment outcomes with 5-year survival rates above 70%, while advanced cancer has survival rates below 30%, making early detection through risk assessment and monitoring absolutely critical.

Can gastric adenocarcinoma be diagnosed with a blood test?

Gastric adenocarcinoma cannot be directly diagnosed with a blood test alone, but blood tests play a crucial role in risk assessment and monitoring. The Parietal Cell Antibody test identifies autoimmune gastritis, a significant risk factor for developing stomach cancer. Definitive diagnosis requires upper endoscopy with tissue biopsy to examine cells under a microscope. However, blood testing helps identify high-risk individuals who need closer monitoring and preventive endoscopic surveillance to catch cancer at the earliest, most treatable stages.

How is gastric adenocarcinoma treated?

Treatment depends on cancer stage and includes surgery to remove part or all of the stomach and nearby lymph nodes, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, radiation therapy to shrink tumors, targeted therapy drugs that attack specific cancer cell features, and immunotherapy to boost the immune system against cancer. Early-stage cancer confined to the stomach lining has the best treatment outcomes with surgery alone. Advanced cancer requires combination approaches. Treatment decisions are made based on tumor location, size, spread, and your overall health status.

How can I prevent gastric adenocarcinoma?

Prevention focuses on reducing risk factors through H. pylori testing and treatment if infected, eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting smoked, salted, and preserved foods, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, treating chronic acid reflux, and regular monitoring if you have autoimmune gastritis or pernicious anemia. If parietal cell antibodies are present, periodic endoscopy screening can catch precancerous changes early when they are most treatable, significantly improving long-term outcomes.

What can I do at home for gastric adenocarcinoma prevention?

At home, focus on eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing processed and preserved meats, avoiding excessive salt and smoked foods, eating fermented foods that support healthy gut bacteria, drinking green tea which has protective antioxidants, managing stress through relaxation techniques, maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol, and taking vitamin supplements if you have autoimmune gastritis affecting nutrient absorption. These lifestyle changes reduce inflammation and create a healthier stomach environment.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

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Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

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How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Gastric Adenocarcinoma Blood Test

What is Gastric Adenocarcinoma?

Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common type of stomach cancer that develops in the cells lining the stomach. It is caused by chronic inflammation from conditions like autoimmune gastritis, H. pylori infection, and long-term stomach irritation. The Parietal Cell Antibody ELISA is the most important test for assessing risk factors related to autoimmune gastritis, which increases cancer risk over time.

Written by Private MD Labs Medical Team

Last updated: December 29, 2025

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

support@privatemdlabs.com