Stomach cancer often remains undetected for a long time. This is due to symptoms typical of this type of cancer, which are often considered harmless abdominal pain. Therefore, affected people often initially avoid visiting the doctor and the diagnosis can be made accordingly late. Diagnosis usually takes the form of a gastroscopy with tissue sampling. The following provides detailed information on signs and diagnosis of gastric cancer.
How does stomach cancer manifest itself?
Typically, stomach cancer causes either no symptoms at all or only vague symptoms for a long time and thus no clear signs. The first symptoms are often initially blamed (for months to years) on a sensitive stomach and thus the diagnosis of stomach cancer is made relatively late.
Signs of stomach cancer
If one or more of the following symptoms occur persistently or recurrently, a doctor should be consulted:
- New aversion to certain foods (especially meat).
- Sensitive reaction of the stomach to previously well-tolerated foods, such as coffee or fruit
- Heartburn or belching
- Nausea, nausea and vomiting
- Bloating or a distended abdomen (especially after eating).
- Feeling of pressure or pain in the upper abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Unwanted weight loss
- Reduced performance, fatigue, listlessness (also caused by gradual blood loss and a subsequent anemia).
- Difficulty swallowing
Rare or late symptoms include:
- Vomiting possibly with blood (resembles the appearance of coffee grounds).
- Black stool (due to gastric bleeding).
- Water retention in the abdomen
Stomach cancer: how is it diagnosed?
As usual, the doctor will first ask questions about symptoms, previous illnesses and possible signs of stomach cancer. Then follows a physical examination, which focuses primarily on changes in the abdomen and palpable lymph node enlargement. If a process in the stomach is suspected, the most important examination method is an endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine.
If a suspicious area is found, a tissue sample can be taken directly from it and sent to the laboratory for examination. Certain tests can also be used to check for Helicobacter colonization. In addition, blood and stool are tested.
Further examinations to determine the tumor
Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, further examinations follow, such as ultrasound and computer tomography (CT) of the abdominal cavity, an X-ray of the chest or a scintigraphy of the bones, in order to determine the exact location and spread of the tumor and a more concrete diagnosis; if it has crossed the mucosal boundary as a natural barrier, it spreads relatively quickly to neighboring organs such as the spleen, esophagus or pancreas.
Daughter tumors are also detected in this way – they often form in lymph nodes above the left collarbone or in the small pelvis; but also in bones, lungs, liver and brain. The exact examinations are important for determining the type and stage of the tumor and thus also for the further procedure after the diagnosis of stomach cancer.
