Physical Exam

Key Information

Palpation of abdomen; abdominal distention; fixation of tumor, palpable lymph nodes ("shotty," fixed or matted nodes), involvement of supraclavicular (Virchow node for stomach cancer) or cervical nodes; axillary node (Irish node for stomach cancer); organomegaly (hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly); umbilical nodule for stomach cancer (Sister Mary Joseph nodule)

Information from physical exam is usually not helpful in staging esophageal, stomach, or small bowel cancers.

Go to the Physical Exam page of the Diagnostic Tests for more information.