Review on methods for early detection of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a significant global health concern, contributing to high mortality rates worldwide. This article offers an in-depth overview of various detection methods for gastric cancer, covering aspects such as epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, treatment modalities, and future research directions. Six distinct methodologies are examined: Pepsinogen, ABC, Spectroscopy, Endoscopic, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). Each method presents unique advantages and limitations, from non-invasive techniques suitable for large-scale screenings to advanced, high-accuracy technologies. Pepsinogen and Spectroscopy methods are highlighted for their cost-effectiveness and suitability for initial screenings. The ABC method enhances sensitivity and specificity through combined evaluation but necessitates supplementary tests for confirmation. Despite being invasive and costly, the Endoscopic method remains the gold standard due to its direct visualization and biopsy capabilities. NGS and UPLC demonstrate promising advancements in early detection and non-invasive screening, with NGS offering high sensitivity and specificity through biomarkers like circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) and microRNAs (miRNAs). However, these advanced methods require extensive validation and present ethical and privacy concerns. The article underscores the importance of economic methods for initial screenings but highlights that integrating advanced methodologies and optimizing their use based on patient risk profiles can significantly improve early detection and treatment of gastric cancer. Endoscopic and NGS methods are identified as the most frequently used and efficient for gastric cancer detection, with the application of NGS expected to grow as technology advances.