What are the signs of stomach cancer
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Summary
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that early signs of stomach cancer can include redness, small polypoid lesions, flat mucosa with slight unevenness, lumboischialgia, anemia, and indigestion, but early stages are often asymptomatic or nonspecific.
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Signs of Stomach Cancer
Early Endoscopic Features of Stomach Cancer
Early signs of stomach cancer can be subtle and are often detected through endoscopy. The earliest indicators include redness, small polypoid lesions, flat mucosa with slight unevenness, and small depressed lesions. These signs are crucial for early diagnosis, as they can be easily overlooked due to their subtle nature.
Unusual Presentations of Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer can sometimes present with unusual symptoms that are not typically associated with gastrointestinal issues. For instance, severe low back pain and lumboischialgia (pain radiating from the lower back to the legs) have been reported as initial symptoms in some cases. Additionally, stomach cancer can present with symptoms such as portal vein thrombosis, which is a rare occurrence.
Common Symptoms and Clinical Presentation
The more common symptoms of stomach cancer include a feeling of fullness, decreased appetite, melena (black, tarry stools), and hematemesis (vomiting blood). Other frequently reported symptoms are epigastric pain, which is present in about 80% of patients, weight loss, anorexia, and nausea. These symptoms often appear when the disease is already advanced, making early detection challenging.
Risk Factors and Their Impact on Symptoms
Several risk factors are associated with the development of stomach cancer, which can also influence the symptoms experienced. Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, and high salt intake are significant risk factors. Chronic atrophic pangastritis, often linked to H. pylori infection, is a notable risk factor for distal gastric cancer. These risk factors can exacerbate symptoms such as dyspepsia, which includes indigestion and discomfort in the upper abdomen.
Diagnostic Challenges
Diagnosing stomach cancer in its early stages is challenging due to the nonspecific nature of its symptoms. Early-stage stomach cancer often presents with symptoms indistinguishable from benign dyspepsia, such as indigestion and mild discomfort. This overlap necessitates careful evaluation and often endoscopic examination to confirm the presence of malignant lesions.
Conclusion
Stomach cancer presents with a variety of signs and symptoms, ranging from subtle endoscopic features to more pronounced clinical manifestations like epigastric pain and weight loss. Unusual presentations such as severe back pain and portal vein thrombosis highlight the need for a thorough and sometimes unconventional diagnostic approach. Understanding these signs and symptoms, along with associated risk factors, is crucial for early detection and effective management of stomach cancer.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
2
Lumboischialgia as the first sign of stomach cancer.
2
1 Citations
2012