Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics 2024, Vol.12, No.1, 37-46 http://www.medscipublisher.com/index.php/cge 38 early diagnosis of gastric cancer, but this method has problems such as invasiveness, high cost, and high technical requirements for physicians, which limits its application in general screening. With the advancement of medical technology, an increasing number of new techniques and methods are being introduced into the early diagnosis and screening of gastric cancer. For instance, the research on molecular markers has provided novel avenues for non-invasive screening (Lu et al., 2019), while the application of genomics, proteomics, and other technologies contributes to the discovery of new diagnostic markers. Furthermore, the development of imaging techniques plays a crucial role in enhancing early detection of gastric cancer. However, these emerging technologies still face numerous challenges in clinical application, including issues related to accuracy, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and more that are yet to be resolved. The purpose of this review is to systematically examine and analyze emerging technologies in the early diagnosis and screening of gastric cancer, encompassing recent advancements in molecular markers, genomics, proteomics, imaging techniques, and more. Through a comprehensive evaluation of these technologies, we aim not only to understand their current applications and effectiveness in the early diagnosis of gastric cancer but also to explore the challenges they face in clinical practice and future development directions. Furthermore, this article will discuss the application of these emerging technologies in different regions and populations, as well as how to effectively integrate these technologies into existing gastric cancer screening and diagnostic systems. Through this approach, we aspire to provide valuable information for clinicians, researchers, and public health decision-makers, fostering the development and application of early gastric cancer diagnosis technologies and ultimately improving the survival rates and quality of life for gastric cancer patients. 1 Review of Traditional Diagnostic Methods Traditional diagnostic methods have made significant contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer over the past few decades. However, there is still room for improvement in early diagnosis, reducing patient discomfort, and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. With the continuous development of medical technology, new diagnostic approaches, such as molecular marker detection and advanced imaging techniques, are being developed and applied to overcome these limitations and facilitate more effective early diagnosis of gastric cancer. 1.1 Functionality and mechanisms of the immune system Gastric cancer, as a common malignancy of the digestive system, holds significant importance in early diagnosis for improving treatment outcomes and reducing mortality. Prior to the advancements in modern medicine, the diagnosis of gastric cancer heavily relied on clinical examinations after the onset of symptoms, but often by this time the cancer had progressed to its advanced stage. With the progress of medical technology, endoscopic examination has become one of the gold standards for diagnosing gastric cancer. Endoscopic examination is a diagnostic method that involves direct observation of the interior of the stomach. Through endoscopy, physicians can visually inspect changes in the gastric mucosa and identify potential abnormalities such as polyps, ulcers, or tumors. If suspicious areas are identified, a biopsy is typically performed, involving the collection of a small tissue sample for pathological examination to determine whether it is a malignant tumor. In addition, X-ray barium meal examination is another traditional diagnostic method for gastric cancer (Guo et al., 2019). Before undergoing X-ray examination, patients ingest a liquid containing barium, which outlines the contours of the stomach under X-ray, aiding in the detection of abnormalities. While this method has diagnostic value for certain types of gastric cancer, its sensitivity and accuracy are not as high as endoscopic examination. Furthermore, blood tests, including assessments of hemoglobin levels, liver function, and tumor marker detection, also play auxiliary roles in the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Hemoglobin levels can reflect the presence of chronic bleeding, and liver function tests help evaluate the possibility of liver metastasis. Tumor markers, although lacking high specificity, can assist in diagnosis in certain circumstances.
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