It is crucial to know the symptoms of stomach cancer for early diagnosis, which leads to a better prognosis for the patient.
Stomach cancer develops from abnormal cell growth in the stomach. Its progression is slow over many years, and there are no symptoms in the early stages. For this reason, it is important to know how to detect stomach cancer, notes Dr. Rodrigo Adame Moreno, a surgical oncologist at ABC Medical Center.
Symptoms
Although symptoms of stomach cancer may not be noticeable at first, there are four situations that could indicate the presence of gastric cancer.
A person may feel full very quickly after eating only a small amount of food and may also feel that even if they eat little throughout the day, they lose their appetite. This occurs because tumors in the stomach limit how much food can be consumed or prevent the stomach from expanding properly.
- Abdominal pain: this type of pain is nonspecific, not located in a particular area, and may be felt throughout the abdomen with very low intensity. The pain may be present throughout the day or only during certain periods.
- Difficulty swallowing: it may be difficult to ingest food or beverages because the tumor may be located in the initial part of the stomach, preventing proper swallowing.
- Vomiting: people with stomach cancer may experience vomiting after eating. This happens because the tumor may be located at the beginning or the end of the stomach, making it difficult for food to pass properly.
There are additional warning signs that do not necessarily mean stomach cancer is present, but that should be checked so that, if it is, it can be addressed promptly. These include unexplained weight loss, vomiting with blood, dark or black stools, persistent fatigue throughout the day, and physical weakness.
Dr. Adame notes that if one or more of these symptoms are present, it is important to see a physician to undergo the appropriate tests and detect stomach cancer promptly.
Tests to detect stomach cancer
Once symptoms that may be related to stomach cancer have been identified, the physician may request one or more tests to reach a diagnosis.
If one or more symptoms that may be associated with stomach or gastric cancer are present, various tests are performed to confirm or rule out the presence of this condition. Among the studies used to detect stomach cancer are:
- Upper endoscopy with biopsy: allows visualization of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to determine whether there are abnormal areas, from which a small sample will be taken for analysis.
- Barium swallow study: a series of X-rays of the stomach and esophagus are taken after the patient drinks a barium-containing liquid.
- Computed tomography: also known as CT, this procedure uses specialized equipment to take multiple detailed images of the inside of the body.
- Biomarkers: these tests help identify genes, proteins, and other substances known as tumor markers or biomarkers.
Is stomach cancer curable?
When discussing how to cure advanced stomach cancer, it is important to understand that this type of cancer, like others, is not cured but can go into remission. It is also important to understand that the earlier the cancer is detected, the more treatment options will be available. Once stomach cancer is advanced, treatment is usually palliative.
Depending on the specific characteristics of each case and its stage, treatment may include chemotherapy, oncologic surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
At ABC Medical Center’s Cancer Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
Dr. Rodrigo Adame Moreno – Especialista en cirugía oncológica del Centro Médico ABC
YouTube CM ABC, Secretaría de Salud, NIH
