What is the first sign of stomach cancer

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Early Signs of Stomach Cancer

Redness and Small Lesions: Initial Endoscopic Indicators

One of the earliest signs of stomach cancer detectable through endoscopy includes redness, small polypoid lesions, flat mucosa with slight unevenness, and small depressed lesions. These subtle changes in the gastric mucosa are often the first indicators of the disease, even before more pronounced symptoms appear.

Dyspepsia: A Common Early Symptom

Dyspepsia, or indigestion, is frequently reported as an early "alarm symptom" of stomach cancer. A retrospective analysis of medical records over ten years revealed that dyspepsia was present on average 4.6 years before the official diagnosis of gastric cancer. This symptom often precedes other more severe manifestations and can serve as an early warning sign.

Unusual Presentations: Lumboischialgia and Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule

In some cases, stomach cancer can present with atypical symptoms. For instance, severe low back pain and lumboischialgia (pain radiating from the lower back down the leg) were reported as the first and only symptoms in a case of disseminated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Another rare presentation includes Sister Mary Joseph's nodule, an umbilical nodule that can be the first physical sign of advanced gastric cancer, as seen in a pregnant patient whose cancer had metastasized throughout the abdominal and pelvic regions.

Lack of Pathognomonic Signs

Despite these early indicators, there is no single pathognomonic sign or symptom that definitively diagnoses stomach cancer. The symptoms in the early stages are often few and slight, making early diagnosis challenging. Therefore, a combination of clinical vigilance and ancillary diagnostic tools is essential for early detection.

Conclusion

Early signs of stomach cancer can vary widely, from subtle endoscopic changes like redness and small lesions to common symptoms like dyspepsia and even unusual presentations such as lumboischialgia and Sister Mary Joseph's nodule. Recognizing these early indicators is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.