Understanding the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
What Are the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer?
People with early stomach cancer may have very few, typically vague, symptoms. These can include:
- Indigestion and stomach discomfort
- A bloated feeling after eating
- Mild nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Heartburn
Peptic ulcers cause similar symptoms. Antacids or histamine blockers can give temporary relief. For these reasons, people may not recognize the problem as serious and may put off seeing a doctor. A gastric tumor can grow very large before it causes other symptoms.
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In more advanced stages, symptoms of stomach cancer can include:
- Discomfort or pain in the upper or middle part of the abdomen
- Blood in the stool, which appears as black, tarry stools
- Vomiting or vomiting blood, which may look like coffee grounds
- Trouble swallowing
- Weight loss
- Pain or bloating in the stomach after eating
- Feeling of fullness after eating a small amount
- Weakness or fatigue associated with anemia
- Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes or skin
- A build up of fluid in the stomach called ascites
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