Simplest investigation to be performed in suspected cases of gastric cancer is -

Ans. is 'a' i.e., Double contrast radiography Investigation for diagnosis of gastric cancer* A double-contrast radiographic examination is the simplest diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of a patient with epigastric complaints with suspected gastric cancer.* The use of double-contrast techniques helps to detect small lesions by improving mucosal detail.* The stomach should be distended at some time during every radiographic examination, since decreased distensibility may be the only indication of a diffuse infiltrative carcinoma.* Although gastric ulcers can be detected fairly early, distinguishing benign from malignant lesions radiographically is difficult.* Gastric ulcers that appear benign by radiography present special problems.* Gastroscopic biopsy and brush cytology is recommended for all patients with a gastric ulcer in order to exclude a malignancy.* Malignant gastric ulcers must be recognized before they penetrate into surrounding tissues, because the rate of cure of early lesions limited to the mucosa or submucosa is >80%.* Since gastric carcinomas are difficult to distinguish clinically or radiographically from gastric lymphomas, endoscopic biopsies should be made as deeply as possible, due to the submucosal location of lymphoid tumors.Investigation for diagnosis of gastric cancer:* First simplest investigation ->> Double contrast radiography* If ulcer (benign/malignant) seen on double contrast radiography - Gastroscopic biopsy and brush cytology.