|
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is very hard to detect in its early stages, because the symptoms often go unnoticed. Most stomach cancer begins in the mucosa, or innermost layer of the stomach (which is divided into 5 layers).
 Like most cancers, stomach cancers grow slowly over many years. If left untreated, the cancer can grow deeper and infect the other layers, thus minimizing the potential to cure it.
Those with stomach cancer may experience the following symptoms:
- Lack of appetite followed by unintended weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
- Pain in the abdominal area
- Hazy discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel
- A sense of fullness in the upper abdomen, just below the chest bone after eating a small meal.
- Heartburn, indigestion, or ulcer-type symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting, with or without blood
- Swelling of the abdomen due to accumulation of fluid and cancer cells.
If you experience any of the above stomach cancer symptoms, you should see your doctor for a thorough examination and diagnosis.
|
