Symptoms of Stomach Cancer in Males and Females

Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, is the 5th most common cancer globally and the 4th most lethal type, with over 1 million new cases diagnosed each year. It often progresses quietly, presenting few symptoms in its early stages. This late detection contributes to its severity. Recognizing early warning signs is vital for improving survival rates and decreasing mortality.

Keep on reading this article to learn about different stomach cancer symptoms.

Table of Contents

What is Stomach Cancer?

Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Types of Stomach Cancer

Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer

Treatment Options for Stomach Cancer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stomach Cancer?

Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, originates in the lining of the stomach, which is located in the upper left part of the abdomen and is responsible for digesting food. This region is a series of connected hollow organs extending from the mouth to the anus that absorbs nutrients and eliminates waste.

The most common type of stomach cancer is adenocarcinoma, which originates in the mucus-secreting cells of the stomach's innermost lining. Adenocarcinomas are categorized based on location. Gastric cardia cancer occurs in the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus. In contrast, non-cardia gastric cancer affects the remaining areas of the stomach.

Other less common types of stomach cancer include gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours, gastrointestinal stromal tumours, and primary gastric tumour lymphomas.

Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

The symptoms of stomach cancer are usually similar to those of mild diseases, making it difficult to diagnose at early stages. Attentiveness to ongoing or progressing signs is crucial for detection at an early stage.

Common Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

• Abdominal Pain
• Indigestion and Heartburn
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Loss of Appetite
• Trouble swallowing
• Unexplained Weight Loss
• Fatigue
• Blood in Stool or Vomit
• Vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel
• Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen

Gender and Age Specific Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Stage-Specific Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Here is a breakdown of stage-specific symptoms of stomach cancer:

Early-Stage (Stage 0 – I):

Stage 1 stomach cancer symptoms are:

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Mild stomach discomfort
• Feeling full after eating small amounts (early satiety)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or slight bloating
• Fatigue (due to low-grade anaemia)

Mid-Stage (Stage II):

Stage 2 stomach cancer symptoms are:

• Persistent stomach pain or discomfort
• Increased bloating after meals
• Vomiting (possibly with blood)
• Black or tarry stools (due to bleeding in the stomach)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased fatigue

Advanced-Stage (Stage III-IV):

Stage 3 stomach cancer symptoms are:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing (if the tumour is near the oesophagus)
• Visible swelling or fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• Significant and rapid weight loss
• Persistent vomiting
• Jaundice (if the cancer has spread to the liver)
• Palpable mass in the upper abdomen
• Weakness and severe fatigue
• Anaemia (from internal bleeding)

Types of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer or gastric cancer can occur in different regions of the stomach and can be of various types based on location, appearance, and the type of cells present. The most common types of stomach cancer are:

1. Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent stomach cancer, accounting for approximately 90-95% of stomach cancers. It arises in the gland-like cells that line the interior of the stomach and secrete digestive enzymes, juices and mucus.

2. Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. When it occurs in the stomach, it's called gastric lymphoma. It arises from lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system (white blood cells). Though it's a rare form of stomach cancer, it is malignant.

3. Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): GISTs are rare tumours that arise in the interstitial cells of Cajal in the stomach, which control the digestive muscles' contractions. They can be benign or malignant. If malignant, they may produce symptoms such as bleeding, pain, or an abdominal palpable mass.

4. Carcinoid Tumors: Carcinoid tumours are a type of neuroendocrine tumour that can arise in the stomach, typically in cells which secrete hormones. They are usually slow-growing tumours and are sometimes symptomless until a late stage.

Diagnosis of Stomach Cancer

Diagnosing stomach cancer usually involves a series of steps since the symptoms may mimic other diseases. The following is an overview of the diagnostic process:

1. Medical History & Physical Exam:

● Physicians start by assessing your family and individual medical history to determine risk factors.

● A detailed physical examination targets the identification of signs such as bloating or abdominal pain.

● These processes aid in determining whether additional testing is required.

2. Blood and Stool Tests:

● Blood tests are done to detect anaemia, which can be a sign of internal bleeding.

● Stool samples can be tested for occult (hidden) blood.

● These tests yield early warnings that might point to stomach cancer.

3. Upper Endoscopy (EGD):

● A long, flexible tube with a camera is passed down through the mouth to examine the stomach.

● It allows physicians to inspect the lining and take biopsy samples.

● This is one of the most precise tests to identify stomach cancer.

4. Imaging Tests:

● Imaging tests such as barium swallow X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, or PET (positron emission tomography) scans give detailed pictures.

● These assist in finding the size, location, and spread of tumours.

● Imaging is essential to stage the cancer accurately.

5. Biopsy and Biomarker Testing:

● Endoscopy tissue samples are studied under a microscope to confirm cancer.

● Biomarker testing looks for genes, proteins, or other items in the tumour.

● These results direct tailored treatment choices.

Treatment Options for Stomach Cancer

Gastric cancer, or stomach cancer, can be treated in a variety of ways, usually based on the stage of the cancer and the general health of the patient. Some of the most common treatments are:​

● Surgery: Procedures such as gastrectomy involve the removal of part or all of the stomach and surrounding lymph nodes. Surgery can be used alongside other treatments to enhance effectiveness.

● Chemotherapy: This involves using medications to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from dividing. It may be administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) to reduce tumours or after surgery (adjuvant) to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. ​

● Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy beams to target and eliminate cancer cells. It may be combined with chemotherapy, particularly for more advanced cases of stomach cancer.

● Targeted Therapy: It is a method that uses drugs to target specific cancer cell abnormalities. An example is the use of trastuzumab (Herceptin) for HER2-positive stomach cancer.

● Immunotherapy: Drugs such as nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda) stimulate the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. They are generally reserved for metastatic or advanced stomach cancer.

At Star Health, we offer complete coverage for cancer treatments under our Star Cancer Care Platinum Insurance Policy. We offer hassle-free claim settlements and less turnaround time so you can recover properly without draining your funds.

Clinical trial participation could also be a possibility, providing access to innovative therapies being studied. It is important to talk with your healthcare team to decide on the best course of treatment for your individual condition.