What are stomach cancer symptoms?
Stomach cancer — also known as gastric cancer — is uncommon in the United States, making up only 1.4% of all new cancer cases in 2021, and the number of people diagnosed with it each year is declining.
The most common type of stomach cancer is called adenocarcinoma (about 90% to 95%), which originates in the mucus-producing cells on the inside lining of the stomach.
People develop two main types of stomach adenocarcinomas: the intestinal type and the diffuse type.
Intestinal adenocarcinomas have a slightly better prognosis, and the cancer cells are likely to have certain gene changes that might allow for treatment with targeted drug therapy.
Diffuse adenocarcinoma tends to spread more quickly. It is less common than the intestinal type and tends to be harder to treat.
Stomach cancer is much more likely to occur in older people; two-thirds of those diagnosed with stomach cancer are 65 years of age or older.
Other potential risk factors for stomach cancer include:
- previous infection with Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that causes inflammation and ulcers;
- male gender;
- previous stomach inflammation;
- cigarette smoking;
- high consumption of salted, smoked or pickled foods; and
- family history of stomach cancer.
Because many of the symptoms of stomach cancer also are associated with other common conditions, such as a viral infection or an ulcer, it may be difficult to diagnose stomach cancer in its earlier stages. Some of these symptoms include:
- a bloated feeling after meals;
- fatigue;
- persistent or recurrent heartburn that is severe;
- severe and ongoing indigestion;
- stomach pain;
- a feeling of fullness after eating only small amounts of food;
- unexplained weight loss; and
- persistent nausea.
In later stages of stomach cancer, symptoms may include:
- blood in the stool;
- vomiting;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin); and
- difficulty swallowing.
If you have any of the above symptoms on a persistent or recurring basis, you should see a physician, particularly if you are aged older than 65 years or have any other stomach cancer risk factors.
A physician may perform a physical exam, bloodwork, endoscopy or other imaging tests. The treatability of stomach cancer often depends on how early it is caught. Treatments may include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery or a combination of these approaches.
Additional information can be found by searching the following websites:
seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/stomach.html
www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/about/what-is-stomach-cancer.html
www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/stomach-cancer/symptoms
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-cancer/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20038197
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stomach-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352438
medlineplus.gov/stomachcancer.html