The paper analyzes the data available in the literature on the role computed tomography (CT) in the complex diagnosis of gastric cancer. It presents the history of CT used in patients with this condition. The technique is shown to be of importance in estimating the local spread of gastric cancer and metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes. The methodic approaches improving the diagnosis of a malignant process are described. The diagnostic efficiency of CT versus other radiodiagnostic techniques is analyzed in the preoperative staging gastric cancer. The problems calling for further investigation are indicated.