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Stomach cancer refers to a malignant tumor occurring in the gastric mucosal epithelial tissue, and is one of the gastrointestinal cancers with high incidence and mortality worldwide. Based on histological type, it is mainly adenocarcinoma, which can metastasize to lymph nodes, liver, pancreas, and other organs. Its pathogenesis is complex, closely related to Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary patterns, and genetic susceptibility.
Stomach cancer is highly prevalent in Asia, especially in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. In Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, the incidence is also high due to dietary habits and insufficient screening. Advanced stomach cancer often leads to gastric bleeding, weight loss, cachexia, and severely affects life safety and quality of life.
Stage I: Localized tumor, atypical symptoms
The tumor is confined to the gastric mucosa or submucosa, with no lymph node metastasis or distant spread. Symptoms are mild or absent, occasionally presenting as mild indigestion, bloating, or gastric discomfort. Surgical treatment at this stage has a favorable prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of 85%-90%.
Stage II: Tumor infiltration, symptoms begin to appear
Cancer cells have infiltrated the muscular layer of the stomach wall and may involve 1-2 groups of regional lymph nodes. Patients may experience early satiety, dull pain, and mild weight loss. With surgical resection combined with adjuvant chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate is 55%-70%.
Stage III: Regional metastasis, obvious clinical symptoms
The tumor penetrates the stomach wall and involves multiple lymph nodes, or adjacent organs such as the pancreas and colon. At this stage, patients often have significant loss of appetite, persistent bloating, or intermittent bleeding, with some showing anemia. With active treatment, the 5-year survival rate is about 30%-45%.
Stage IV: Distant metastasis, treatment mainly for control
Cancer cells have metastasized to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, and peritoneum. Clinical manifestations are complex and variable, such as severe pain, melena, and jaundice, with a severe decline in quality of life. Treatment often involves immune reconstitution cell therapy combined with targeted therapy or palliative chemotherapy, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%.
1. Upper abdominal discomfort or dull pain
This is the earliest and most common symptom, often presenting as postprandial bloating, dull upper abdominal pain, or vague discomfort. The pain location is not fixed and initially mild, often mistaken by patients as "gastritis" or "indigestion," leading to neglect.
2. Loss of appetite and weight loss
As the tumor affects gastric function, patients develop significant loss of appetite, especially aversion to meat. Noticeable weight loss often occurs within a short period, typically over 5 kg, and continues to worsen, indicating disease progression.
3. Nausea and vomiting
Patients with stomach cancer often experience nausea due to pyloric stenosis or tumor compression, sometimes accompanied by vomiting of gastric contents or undigested food. Symptoms may temporarily improve after vomiting but recur frequently and require attention.
4. Melena and gastrointestinal bleeding
Tumor erosion and rupture easily cause gastric bleeding, manifested as black stools (tarry stools), positive fecal occult blood test, or vomiting of coffee-ground material. Severe bleeding may lead to dizziness, palpitations, or even shock.
5. Anemia and pale complexion
Chronic blood loss and poor nutritional intake can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms include pale complexion, fatigue, and easy tiredness, particularly pronounced in female patients. Anemia often suggests that stomach cancer has progressed to the middle or late stage.
6. Early satiety and indigestion
Patients feel full shortly after eating, even after consuming only small amounts of food, and often experience gastric discomfort. Some may also present with belching and acid reflux, often misdiagnosed as "functional gastrointestinal disorders," leading to delayed treatment.
7. Esophageal reflux and heartburn
Especially in cases of gastric cardia cancer, patients often experience reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus, causing heartburn and a foreign body sensation in the throat. Symptoms may worsen when lying down or after meals, requiring confirmation via endoscopy.
8. Abdominal mass
In advanced stomach cancer, a mass may be palpable in the upper abdomen, usually firm and immobile tumor tissue, often accompanied by persistent pain or tenderness, indicating local tumor progression.
9. Gastric outlet obstruction
When the tumor obstructs the pylorus, patients may experience severe nausea and vomiting, often occurring shortly after meals. Vomit usually contains undigested food from the previous meal, indicating disease progression.
10. General weakness and cachexia
In advanced stages, stomach cancer causes toxin release and nutrient absorption disorders, leading to extreme physical weakness, emaciation, mental fatigue, and slowed movements, presenting with typical cachexia symptoms.
Early stomach cancer lacks specific symptoms, making it easy for patients to overlook and miss the best treatment opportunity. Experts from United Life International Medical Center remind that anyone with persistent upper abdominal discomfort, melena, or significant weight loss should promptly undergo gastroscopy and tumor marker evaluation. Through early screening, timely treatment, and advanced approaches such as immune reconstitution cell therapy, survival rates and quality of life can be effectively improved.
