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Signs And Symptoms Of Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that typically begins in the lining of the stomach. The stomach is an organ located between the esophagus and the small intestine that helps you digest food by mixing the food with stomach acid.
Stomach cancer tends to develop slowly over the course of many years. In its early stages, stomach cancer does not usually cause symptoms, though feelings of indigestion or abdominal discomfort can occur. As the cancer grows or spreads to nearby organs, you can experience symptoms like blood in the stool (poop), vomiting, and fatigue that can worsen over time.
Early-stage stomach cancer rarely causes symptoms. When there are early symptoms, the symptoms can be similar to those of many other conditions. Either way, it can be difficult to detect stomach cancer in its early stages. Early-stage symptoms of stomach cancer may include: Indigestion Stomach discomfort Bloating Nausea Heartburn Loss of appetite Many people with stomach cancer are not diagnosed until the cancer has started to spread. Once this happens, the cancer is more challenging to treat and cure. When cancer cells grow into the wall of the stomach lining and cause bleeding, new symptoms may develop. Symptoms you can experience as stomach cancer progresses include: Unintended weight loss Abdominal pain right above the belly button A feeling of being very full after eating a small amount Vomiting (sometimes with blood) Blood in the stool Fatigue Weakness Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can be caused by common, non-cancerous conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A healthcare provider can determine what is causing your symptoms. When stomach cancer spreads from the stomach to other organs, more serious symptoms may appear. End-stage symptoms of stomach cancer can vary and depend on which other organs are affected. End-stage stomach cancer can affect several organs including the liver and the large intestines. If the liver is affected, you may experience jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. You may also notice signs of ascites when your belly appears swollen because your abdomen has filled with fluid. Stomach cancer is very rare in children and makes up just 0.05% of all pediatric cancer cases. Children with stomach cancer may have had cancer in a different area of the body that then spread to the stomach. Possible symptoms of stomach cancer in children may include: Abdominal pain Weight loss Nausea and vomiting Constipation or diarrhea Loss of appetite Weakness Fatigue Knowing when to see your healthcare provider for stomach cancer symptoms can be a challenge. Stomach cancer may cause bleeding in the digestive tract. Symptoms may include black stools, fatigue, and weakness. If you develop any symptoms of bleeding, see your provider right away. Stomach cancer may cause a blockage in the stomach or large intestine. A blockage can lead to severe pain, uncontrolled vomiting, significant weight loss, and loss of appetite. These symptoms can also possibly be caused by certain viral infections or other conditions. See a healthcare provider promptly if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they get worse. Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that most often begins in the lining of the stomach. Stomach cancer does not usually cause symptoms in its early stages. This often leads to late diagnosis, which makes the disease more challenging to treat. If there are early symptoms of stomach cancer, they may include indigestion, stomach discomfort, and nausea. Symptoms more often develop as the cancer progresses. These later-stage symptoms may include vomiting, stomach pain, and unintended weight loss. Once stomach cancer spreads to other organs, it is possible to experience liver and large intestine damage and related symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, speak with your healthcare provider.'My Daughter Complained Of A Tummy Ache - Weeks Later Doctors Said She Had Stage 4 Cancer'
Millie's persistent tummy ache turned out to be stage four cancer (Image: Gemma Holmes)Millie Holmes, six, initially complained of a stomach ache, which her mum Gemma dismissed as a regular bug. However, when Millie started experiencing nosebleeds and passing blood in her urine, Gemma became alarmed.
Seeking medical advice, Gemma took Millie to the GP, who diagnosed her with a water infection and prescribed antibiotics. But months later, Millie's condition worsened. She had little appetite, was losing weight, and her mother knew something was seriously wrong. Determined to find answers, the Manchester Evening News reports Gemma insisted on blood tests during their next visit to the GP.
During a routine check at Tameside General Hospital, doctors discovered a large lump in Millie's stomach. The family was immediately transferred to Manchester Children's Hospital, where they underwent further examinations for two weeks.
Doctors discovered a large lump in Millie's stomach (Image: Gemma Holmes)The devastating news came when the test results confirmed Millie's worst fears - she had an extremely rare and advanced form of cancer. Millie was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, a type of kidney cancer that had already reached stage four, indicating that it had spread from its original location.
Gemma, overwhelmed with emotions, said: "I was in tears for days. I'm still in tears now. You don't get time to process it; you just have to carry on." Millie had been experiencing symptoms for over a year before receiving this diagnosis.
Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is known to be more aggressive than other renal tumours, with a higher chance of recurrence. It tends to spread to other organs, including the bones, lungs, brain, and soft tissues of the body.
Millie has undergone five different types of chemotherapy (Image: Gemma Holmes)The disease presents with atypical symptoms similar to other common illnesses, such as abdominal pain, making it challenging to diagnose. While the cause of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is unknown, doctors believe that kidney cells may develop improperly during the early stages of development, leading to tumour formation later on.
In addition to her cancer diagnosis, Millie also has a rare genetic condition called chromosome 15q deletion. This condition results in missing copies of part of the genetic material that makes up one of the body's 46 chromosomes. It causes speech delay, learning difficulties, and sensory needs. Medical professionals suspect that this condition may have contributed to the growth of Millie's tumour.
Since her diagnosis, Millie has undergone five different types of chemotherapy and an eight-hour operation to remove her right kidney. While she is now recovering at home, she still faces another eight months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink the remaining seven tumours.
Gemma and Millie (Image: Gemma Holmes)Reflecting on the journey to diagnosis, Gemma said: "She started with a belly ache over 12 months ago. She was complaining of belly ache and had nosebleeds, which are signs of cancer, but at the time, we didn't know that."
Gemma recalled taking Millie to the doctors for the blood in her urine, and they initially believed it was a water infection. However, as Millie's health deteriorated, with weight loss and fatigue, Gemma's concerns grew, prompting her to push for a blood test.
The road ahead is challenging for Millie and her family. Gemma expressed the difficulty of the situation, saying: "It's been a struggle; she has her own needs as it is already. It's been a big change, and she's had to overcome everything they've thrown at her. She's still a happy child, she comes in here with a smile on her face. Every other day she's been here, she's happy, but she has her down days like everyone else."
This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up Express.Co.Uk's editorial research. A news editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to readercomplaints@reachplc.Com.
How Fast Does Stomach Cancer Spread?
Stomach cancer often grows slowly for many years before causing symptoms. The majority of stomach cancers in the United States are diagnosed after they've spread beyond the stomach.
Stomach cancer makes up about 1.5% of cancers diagnosed in the United States. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with stomach cancer is about 1 in 96 for men and 1 in 152 for women.
Stomach cancer usually isn't detected until the cancer has grown large or spread to other tissues. Less than 30% of stomach cancers in the United States are diagnosed when the cancer is limited to the stomach.
Some subtypes of stomach cancer tend to grow slower than others. In this article, we look at the different types of stomach cancer and how fast they spread.
About 90–95% of stomach cancers are classified as adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma starts in gland cells that line your stomach. It can be divided into two main types:
Rarer types of stomach cancer include:
Stomach cancer most commonly spreads to the liver. About 4–14% of people have spread to their liver when they're diagnosed.
Stomach cancer is also known to spread to:
Stomach cancer often doesn't cause symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do appear, they often mimic those of other GI conditions. Symptoms are similar between males and females, but stomach cancer occurs more often in men.
Advanced stomach cancer may cause signs and symptoms such as:
Most stomach cancers are discovered after symptoms appear. For most people, this means that the cancer has grown large or spread beyond the stomach.
If your doctor suspects stomach cancer, they'll likely order an upper endoscopy. This test involves inserting a thin tube with a camera down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor can take a tissue sample called a biopsy with this tube to be tested in a laboratory for cancer.
Imaging tests can help determine the extent of the cancer or how well you're responding to treatment. Imaging might include:
Stomach cancer remains the third highest cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The survival rate remains relatively low compared to other cancers since it often isn't diagnosed until the cancer has grown large or spread.
Here's a look at the 5-year relative survival rate of stomach cancer in the United States based on the National Cancer Institute's SEER data from 2012–2018:
Stomach cancer usually grows for many years before it's detected. In about 70% of people, it has spread beyond their stomach and about a third of people have had it spread to distant organs by the time they're diagnosed.
The outlook for stomach cancer is poor once it spreads to distant locations. However, the number of stomach cancer deaths each year in the United States continues to decrease.
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