For many people, though, there are no symptoms of stomach cancer, especially in its early stages.
Symptoms may also be so vague or non-specific and easily mistaken for other conditions or everyday stomach issues.
Keep reading to learn more about stomach cancer’s signs and symptoms.
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Symptoms alone cannot diagnose stomach cancer.
This article explains the seven symptoms commonly experienced in people with stomach cancer.
Blood in the Stool
Bloody stoolcan be a symptom of stomach cancer.
However, it can occur with other noncancerous conditions as well.
Thecolor of bloodin the stool often provides vital clues about the origin of bleeding.
Bright red blood in the stool, also known ashematochezia, is generally not a sign of stomach cancer.
Bright red blood may indicate different conditions, including:
Blood in the stool is not always visible.
Recap
Blood in the stool can indicate many things, including stomach cancer.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal painis one of the most common signs of stomach cancer.
Moreover, it is often the symptom that prompts people to seek medical attention.
Symptoms can range from persistent mild discomfort to severe pain.
The pain and discomfort generally occur in the upper abdomen area.
Abdominal pain has many possible causes that are far more common than stomach cancer.
These include:
Other cancers involving abdominal pain includepancreatic,liver,bile duct, andgallbladder cancer.
Chronic symptoms should never be ignored and may require anendoscopicexamto uncover the cause.
Abdominal pain is a common symptom of stomach cancer, usually felt in the upper abdomen.
However, other conditions are often to blame, including stomach flu, gastritis, pancreatitis, and GERD.
Persistent Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea and vomitingare also common symptoms of stomach cancer.
This kind of bleeding is more typical when stomach cancer is advanced.
However, it can also result from conditions affecting the esophagus or other parts of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
A gastric hemorrhage is a medical emergency.
If you are vomiting a large amount of bloodmore than a few teaspoonsgo to the emergency room.
Persistent vomiting and nausea, especially with blood, can signify stomach cancer.
Always seek medical attention if you vomit blood.
These changes can affect the chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, that influence appetite.
This kind of weight loss is common in people with advanced cancer.
Loss of appetite is a common occurrence for most people occasionally.
However, persistent lack of appetite or feeling full too fast can signify stomach cancer.
So, if it persists or you are unintentionally losing weight, see a healthcare provider for an evaluation.
pyloriis not only linked to GERD and peptic ulcers but significantly increases the risk of stomach cancer.
Many everyday things can cause bloating and heartburn, but they can also be a symptom of stomach cancer.
In addition, chronic reflux can increase the risk of some cancers, including stomach cancer.
Persistent Fatigue
Fatiguethat lasts more than a few days or weeks may suggest a medical concern.
Cancer-related fatigue is different than fatigue associated with exhaustion, depression, or acute illness.
However, persistent fatigue is not “normal” even if cancer is not the cause.
Chronic fatigue may be a sign of stomach cancer and other health conditions.
Therefore, you should always have persistent fatigue evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Summary
Stomach cancer can have multiple symptoms.
However, many of these symptoms are also signs of other, more common conditions.
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