What are the early symptoms of stomach cancer?
Disease description:
My father has been experiencing frequent stomach pain and persistent nausea lately. This morning, he noticed blood in his stool. After a hospital examination, the doctor diagnosed him with stomach cancer, but said it's not very severe yet. I would like to know what other symptoms are commonly associated with early-stage stomach cancer.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Below are some common symptoms that may appear in the early stages of stomach cancer:
1. Discomfort in the stomach: Patients may experience mild pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen. This pain often lacks a clear pattern and may be accompanied by symptoms such as acid reflux.
2. Loss of appetite: Patients may suffer from reduced appetite and disinterest in food, leading to decreased food intake, which can further result in weight loss and emaciation.
3. Belching and acid reflux: Some patients may experience frequent belching and acid reflux, which are caused by increased pressure in the stomach.
4. Anemia: Stomach cancer can cause bleeding in the gastric mucosa, and long-term chronic blood loss may lead to anemia, manifesting as pale complexion, fatigue, palpitations, and other symptoms.
5. General symptoms: As the disease progresses, patients may develop systemic symptoms such as fatigue and anemia, resulting from a combination of factors including reduced appetite and gastrointestinal blood loss.
However, many of these symptoms can also be caused by other, more common diseases. Therefore, if one or more of these symptoms appear, especially if they persist or gradually worsen, prompt medical attention is advised.
