Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, begins in the lining of the stomach. It is more common in Asia than in Western countries and often develops slowly over many years.

Common Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Early symptoms can be vague and easily mistaken for gastritis, acidity or ulcer disease.

1. Persistent Indigestion or Bloating

• 
  

  Often first sign

  
  


• 
  

  Patient feels “gas trouble” that does not settle

  
  

2. Early Satiety

• 
  

  Feeling full quickly after a small meal

  
  

3. Abdominal Pain

• 
  

  Usually upper abdominal discomfort

  
  

4. Unexplained Weight Loss & Loss of Appetite

5. Vomiting

• 
  

  Sometimes blood in vomit (hematemesis)

  
  

6. Difficulty in Swallowing

• 
  

  If tumor involves upper stomach

  
  

7. Blood in Stool or Black Stools

• 
  

  Due to slow bleeding from tumor

  
  

8. Fatigue or Weakness

• 
  

  Often due to anemia

  
  

? Important Note: Persistent indigestion after age 45–50 should not be ignored and needs evaluation.

What Tests & Investigations Are Needed?

To diagnose stomach cancer accurately, doctors typically advise:

1. Upper GI Endoscopy (OGD)

• 
  

  Most important test

  
  


• 
  

  Directly visualizes tumor

  
  


• 
  

  Biopsy taken for confirmation

  
  

2. Contrast-enhanced CT Scan (Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis)

• 
  

  Checks tumor spread and staging

  
  

3. PET Scan

• 
  

  Sometimes used to detect distant metastases

  
  

4. Blood Tests

• 
  

  CBC (anemia)

  
  


• 
  

  Tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9) — for follow-up, not diagnosis

  
  

Treatment Options for Stomach Cancer (Explained Simply)

Treatment depends on stage and location of tumor.

Early-stage (Stage I)

Best treated with surgery, sometimes minimally invasive.

Procedures include:

• 
  

  Subtotal gastrectomy

  
  


• 
  

  Total gastrectomy

  
  

Lymph node removal is essential for proper cancer treatment.

Stage II & III (Locally Advanced)

These usually require combined treatment:

1. Chemotherapy before surgery (Neoadjuvant)

• 
  

  Shrinks tumor

  
  


• 
  

  Improves surgical results

  
  

2. Surgery

• 
  

  Gastrectomy as above

  
  

3. Chemotherapy after surgery (Adjuvant)

• 
  

  Reduces recurrence risk

  
  

Stage IV (Metastatic)

Cancer has spread to organs such as liver, peritoneum or lung.

Treatment focuses on:

• 
  

  Chemotherapy

  
  


• 
  

  Targeted therapy (HER2+ cancers)

  
  


• 
  

  Immunotherapy (selected patients)

  
  


• 
  

  Nutrition support

  
  


• 
  

  Palliative care

  
  


• 
  

  Bypass surgery or stenting if obstruction