What is stomach cancer mistaken with?

The symptoms of stomach cancer are similar to the symptoms of a hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer, namely a vague pain aggravated by food, nausea, heartburn and indigestion.


What were your early signs of stomach cancer?

Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
  • Poor appetite.
  • Weight loss (without trying)
  • Abdominal (belly) pain.
  • Vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel.
  • Feeling full after eating only a small meal.
  • Heartburn or indigestion.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting, with or without blood.


How can you tell the difference between stomach cancer and gastritis?

Symptoms and signs of advanced stomach cancer include fatigue, weight loss, anemia, black tarry stools, and severe nausea and vomiting, sometimes with blood. Stomach ulcer symptoms and signs include mild digestion, stomach discomfort, hunger pain, or abdominal burning a couple of hours after eating.


Where does your stomach hurt if you have cancer?

Stomach pain: Abdominal discomfort or pain in the abdomen above the navel may be a symptom of a stomach tumor. Also, swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen may also be caused by stomach cancer.

Does stomach cancer show up in blood tests?

The doctor might order a blood test to look for anemia (a low red blood cell count), which could be caused by the cancer bleeding into the stomach. A test might also be done to look for blood in your stool (feces) that can't be seen by the naked eye, which could also be a sign of bleeding in the stomach.


Mayo Clinic explains stomach cancer



Does stomach cancer hurt all the time?

Hallmarks of stomach cancer-related pain are that it's persistent and "gnawing," she says. "It's not something you feel for one day, and then it goes away for two weeks and comes back again." Also, "classic" stomach cancer pain is a dull ache in the middle of your stomach, she says.

Does Stage 1 stomach cancer have symptoms?

In the early stages of gastric cancer, the following symptoms may occur: Indigestion and stomach discomfort. A bloated feeling after eating. Mild nausea.

Is stomach cancer quick?

Stomach cancer is a slow-growing cancer that usually develops over a year or longer. Generally, there are no symptoms in the early stages (asymptomatic). As the disease progresses, a variety of symptoms can develop.


What age does stomach cancer usually occur?

Stomach cancer mostly affects older people. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 68. About 6 of every 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer each year are 65 or older. The lifetime risk of developing stomach cancer is higher in men (about 1 in 96) than in women (about 1 in 152).

What does early stage stomach cancer feel like?

Stomach cancer can present itself in several different ways, such as difficulty swallowing, feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after only eating a small amount of food, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, unintentional weight loss, and vomiting.

How do doctors test for stomach cancer?

Upper endoscopy is the most common test used to detect stomach cancer. Some countries use X-rays to detect stomach cancer. Stomach cancer screening is an active area of cancer research. Scientists are studying blood tests and other ways to detect stomach cancer before it causes symptoms.


What is the main cause of stomach cancer?

For example, a diet high in smoked or salted foods and processed meat and low in vegetables is a risk factor for stomach cancer, as is drinking alcohol and smoking. Helicobacter pylori, a microorganism that infects the inner lining of stomach, also contributes to cancer development.

Where is the first place stomach cancer spreads to?

This type of cancer is most likely to spread to the liver or peritoneum, which is the membrane lining of the abdominal cavity. Other areas where stomach cancer commonly spreads include the lungs and bones.

How curable is stomach cancer?

65 out of 100 people (65%) with stage 1 stomach cancer will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they're diagnosed. Around 35 out of 100 people (around 35%) with stage 2 stomach cancer will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they're diagnosed.


How common is stomach cancer?

As mentioned above, stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all new cancers nationally each year. The American Cancer Society's 2022 estimates include 26,380 new cases and 11,090 deaths from gastric cancer.

What are the symptoms of stage 2 stomach cancer?

Symptoms if cancer spreads to the tissue lining your abdomen (peritoneum)
  • loss of appetite.
  • indigestion.
  • feeling sick.
  • constipation.
  • shortness of breath.


Who typically gets stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer occurs most commonly in people older than 55. Most people diagnosed with stomach cancer are in their 60s and 70s. Gender. Men are twice as likely to develop stomach cancer as women.


How long can stomach cancer go undetected?

Stomach cancer often goes undetected for many years. This is in large part because stomach cancer and the resulting symptoms tend to develop slowly, therefore failing to alert the individual that there may be an issue.

What's the survival rate of stomach cancer?

If the cancer is diagnosed and treated before it has spread outside the stomach, the 5-year survival rate is 70%. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 32%.

How fast does stomach cancer progress?

Having stomach cancer experts in many disciplines ensures that you receive an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment. Usually stomach (gastric) cancer starts in the lining of the stomach, growing slowly over the course of several years and causing few if any symptoms.


Does stomach xray show cancer?

X-rays and other radiographic tests (also known as radiographs, roentgenograms, and contrast studies) help doctors look for cancer in different parts of the body including bones, and organs like the stomach and kidneys. X-rays are typically fast, painless, and there's no special preparation needed.

How hard is it to diagnose stomach cancer?

In the early stages of stomach cancer, many patients experience few or no symptoms. Because the lack of symptoms makes stomach cancer difficult to detect, doctors often diagnose the disease at more advanced stages. By that point, it is more challenging to treat.

Do doctors tell you if they suspect cancer?

If you're deemed to be of sound mind, and you ask the question, then yes, they are legally obligated to disclose your medical data to you.


Can endoscopy miss stomach cancer?

Background & aims: Single-center studies have estimated that 4.6% to 25.8% of gastric cancers are missed at endoscopy.

Is stomach cancer terminal?

Stomach cancer can be fatal if it is not found early. If found early, stomach cancer can be curable. However, stomach cancer is often not diagnosed until it has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. In its advanced stages, only 1 in 5 people will survive for 5 years.