Understanding the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on August 06, 2022
1 min read

People with early stomach cancer don’t usually have any symptoms. If there are symptoms, they are typically vague. These can include:

Peptic ulcers and acid reflux (also called GERD) cause similar symptoms. Antacids or histamine blockers may give temporary relief. Many other conditions can cause these symptoms as well. 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.

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
  • A buildup of fluid in the abdomen called ascites