Symptoms of gastric cancer
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These studies suggest that symptoms of gastric cancer include physical and affective/cognitive symptoms, alarm symptoms like dysphagia, weight loss, and abdominal mass, and infrequent cutaneous metastases, with factors such as age, gender, cancer stage, and socioeconomic status affecting symptom severity.
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Symptoms of Gastric Cancer
Common Symptoms of Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its initially asymptomatic nature or nonspecific symptoms. The most frequently reported symptoms include weight loss, stomachache, nausea, and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). These symptoms are often mild to moderate in severity but can vary significantly depending on the stage of the disease and the patient's demographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Alarm Symptoms and Prognostic Indicators
Alarm symptoms, which are more indicative of advanced disease, include dysphagia, significant weight loss, and a palpable abdominal mass. These symptoms are critical as they are independently related to survival rates and can suggest the site, stage, and aggressiveness of the cancer. However, it is important to note that these alarm symptoms are not always sensitive enough to detect malignancies early, and their presence often implies an advanced and potentially inoperable disease.
Postoperative Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Patients who undergo surgery for gastric cancer often report a range of gastrointestinal symptoms postoperatively. The most common postoperative symptom is abdominal distention, followed by pain, dysphagia, diarrhea, and vomiting. The severity and prevalence of these symptoms can change over time, with some symptoms persisting or even worsening in the months following surgery. Risk factors for these postoperative symptoms include total gastrectomy and disturbed sleep, with female patients being more likely to report severe symptoms.
Symptoms in Metastatic Gastric Cancer
In the last six months of life, patients with metastatic gastric cancer experience a high symptom burden. The most prevalent symptoms include tiredness and lack of appetite, while nausea and depression are less commonly reported but still significant. The severity of these symptoms tends to increase as patients approach the end of life, highlighting the need for effective palliative care and routine symptom screening to manage these burdens.
Symptom Clusters and Quality of Life
Symptom clusters, which are groups of symptoms that occur together, are common in gastric cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy. Identified clusters include fatigue-related symptoms, epithelial symptoms, neurologic symptoms, malnutrition-related symptoms, and psychological symptoms. These clusters have a significant negative impact on the quality of life, affecting various aspects such as physical, emotional, and functional well-being. Effective management of these symptom clusters is crucial for improving the overall quality of life for gastric cancer patients.
Conclusion
Gastric cancer presents with a variety of symptoms that can range from mild to severe and significantly impact the patient's quality of life. Early detection remains challenging due to the nonspecific nature of initial symptoms. Postoperative and end-of-life symptom management is essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Understanding and addressing symptom clusters can provide targeted interventions to better support patients with gastric cancer.
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