What is the first sign of stomach cancer?
If you experience certain symptoms, it may be indicative of stomach cancer.
To learn more about the first sign of stomach cancer
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This feeling may come and go, or it may be constant.
Other symptoms associated with indigestion and heartburn include:
Difficulty Swallowing
One of the first signs that stomach cancer may be present is difficulty in swallowing.
This may be due to a tumor blocking the passage of food through the digestive tract.
Feeling full after eating only a small amount
Another common symptom of stomach cancer is feeling full after eating only a small amount.
This can be due to the tumour taking up space in the abdomen and interfering with the normal digestion process.
Nausea
There are many possible reasons why someone with stomach cancer may experience nausea.
It is also possible that the nausea is unrelated to cancer and is simply a result of stress or anxiety or it can be a sign of a more serious condition like gastroparesis, which is a paralysis of the stomach muscles.
If you are experiencing nausea, it is important to speak with your doctor to rule out any potentially serious causes.
Vomiting
There are many possible reasons why someone might experience vomiting as a symptom of stomach cancer.
If the vomiting is due to cancer, it is likely because the cancer is blocking the passage of food through the stomach.
This can cause a build-up of pressure in the stomach, leading to vomiting.
Cancer may also release chemicals that irritate the stomach lining, causing vomiting.
Weight Loss
One of the first signs of stomach cancer is sudden weight loss.
This happens because the cancerous tumour in the stomach starts to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.
As a result, people with stomach cancer may start to feel tired and lose their appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
Black Stools
Black stool can be a sign of bleeding in the stomach. The bleeding can be caused by cancer itself, or it could be a side effect of treatment.
If the bleeding is due to cancer, it is most likely because cancer has eroded through the stomach lining and is causing bleeding.
Read also – What causes stomach cancer?
What are other general symptoms in stomach cancer?
In addition to difficulty swallowing and feeling full after eating only a small amount, other general symptoms of stomach cancer may include
- Persistent abdominal pain,
- Poor appetite
- Fatigue, and
- Anaemia.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor for a diagnosis.
Stomach cancer typically doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
This makes it difficult to detect. By the time symptoms do appear, cancer has usually progressed significantly.
This is why it’s so important to be aware of the potential signs and symptoms of stomach cancer.
Remember, early detection and treatment of stomach cancer can improve the chances of a successful outcome.
Dr. Aditya Kulkarni
MS, DNB, FRCS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology & GI Oncology)
Dr. Aditya Kulkarni is a Consultant of Laparoscopic and Robotic Gastrointestinal, Hepato-biliary-pancreatic, and Cancer Surgeon at the renowned Oasis Surgery Clinic Pune.