Gastric cancer is another name for stomach cancer. It usually begins in the lining of the stomach, in cells that produce mucus to aid in the digestion of food. According to the American Cancer Society, the early stages of stomach cancer rarely cause symptoms. Only one in five cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed before spreading to other parts of the body.
Body tissue normally has cells that die as they age, and new cells take their place. New cells are formed as other cells grow and divide. Cancer disrupts this process. New cells are formed when they are not needed, and old cells do not die when they normally would. The excess cells form growths called tumors, which can be benign, meaning they do not spread and when removed do not grow back. They can also be malignant, meaning they spread and damage organs in other parts of the body.
Common Signs
As gastric cancer grows, there can be signs and symptoms that appear. According to the National Cancer Institute, the most common signs include a sense of discomfort in the stomach area. There can be a bloated feeling or a feeling of fullness after a meal that is considered small; nausea and vomiting are two more symptoms. Another sign considered common is weight loss. However, these common symptoms are more often indications of an ailment other than gastric cancer, such as an ulcer or stomach infection.
Other Signs
The Mayo Clinic lists other signs of gastric cancer, which include fatigue and stomach pain. Heartburn is also listed as a sign of stomach cancer. The American Cancer Society lists the additional signs of indigestion and a loss of appetite, and ACS also notes that there can be vomiting with blood. Also, there can be a build-up of fluid and swelling in the abdomen.
Diagnosis
Symptoms like bloating and nausea are usually an indication of other conditions, but if the symptoms are persistent, see a doctor. To diagnose the presence of gastric cancer, a physician may use an endoscope, which is a flexible tube that is lit and has a camera at its tip. A physician inserts the tube down the throat and views the stomach to look for signs of cancer. A biopsy, or tissue sample, may be taken, which is then clinically examined for the presence of cancer cells.
