Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is often silent in the early stages. Learn about the subtle and advanced symptoms that may indicate gastric cancer and the importance of early detection.
Cancer often gives little or no early signs, making detection difficult in its initial stages. Other times, the symptoms mimic common infections or conditions, leading to misdiagnosis and late detection. One such cancer is stomach (or gastric) cancer, which is often asymptomatic in earlier stages and becomes noticeable only in advanced stages.
Anatomy and Risk
The stomach is located mid-abdomen and is closely related to organs like the liver, pancreas, esophagus, and colon. Most stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, forming in the glandular cells of the stomach’s inner lining.
Because of its location and nonspecific symptoms, stomach cancer is often mistaken for common digestive problems.
Early-Stage Symptoms
People with early-stage stomach cancer often show no symptoms or are often subtle and easily ignored. As the cancer grows, the following may appear:
Upper abdominal discomfort, heartburn, early satiety (feeling full quickly), and frequent indigestion.
Nausea and vomiting
Decreased appetite
Unexplained weight loss
These symptoms overlap with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, ulcers, or infections, leading many to self-treat or delay medical consultation.
Advanced-Stage Symptoms
In India, stomach cancer ranks 4th overall and 3rd among men in cancer incidence. If undetected early, it can spread to the liver, lungs, or peritoneum.
Advanced symptoms include:
Generalized body weakness and fatigue
Blood in stool blood or vomit may indicate bleeding in the stomach
Uncontrolled vomiting
Jaundice (if liver is affected)
Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen (ascites)
Low red blood cell count (anemia)
Diagnosis and Awareness
The primary reason stomach cancer is often detected late is the lack of routine screening. In countries like Japan, where it is common, mass screenings lead to early detection.
Doctors may recommend an upper GI endoscopy with biopsy or CT scans based on symptoms, as early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes.
While November is stomach cancer awareness month, raising awareness about causes, symptoms, and early treatment is crucial year-round.