What are the symptoms of gastric cancer?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on May 02, 2025
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Symptoms of stomach cancer patients are like those of early-stage stomach cancer patients, who generally present with some nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and discomfort or acid reflux in the upper abdomen, similar to gastrointestinal ulcers or gastritis. These are some of the clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal symptoms. As the tumor progresses and invades the abdominal cavity or surrounding organs, the patient's symptoms will worsen, possibly causing overall abdominal bloating, discomfort, and even severe pain. Other symptoms include ascites, which is fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, vomiting, weight loss, anemia, and clinical manifestations such as vomiting blood or black stools, which are symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Late-stage symptoms of gastric cancer

The common late-stage symptoms of gastric cancer patients include nausea, vomiting, and even a complete inability to eat. There are also symptoms related to the digestive tract such as pain in the upper abdomen and acid reflux, as well as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as vomiting blood and melena which are signs of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Late-stage gastric cancer patients may also experience organ metastasis, leading to corresponding symptoms. For example, metastasis of gastric cancer to the liver can cause abdominal pain and ascites due to hepatic metastatic tumors. Clinical manifestations caused by such metastatic tumors also include metastasis to retroperitoneal lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity, a common site of spread for gastric cancer. Patients may even show symptoms of intestinal obstruction, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, inability to pass stool, or even absence of flatus, which are indicators of intestinal obstruction. Consequently, patients might experience weight loss and deteriorate into a cachectic state, marked by poor nutrition and significant weight loss, which are characteristic symptoms of late-stage patients.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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How to check for gastric cancer?

When clinical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, gastric distension or upper abdominal pain, acid reflux, or hematemesis, as well as melena occur, it is necessary to consider the possibility of gastric cancer and seek timely medical attention. Completing a gastroscopy and obtaining a biopsy under gastroscopy are essential. If cancer cells are found, this is the most important diagnostic method for confirming gastric cancer. After the diagnosis of gastric cancer, further examinations like endoscopic ultrasound and CT scans of the chest and abdomen are required to assess the approximate stage of the patient and to decide the subsequent treatment plan.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?

Gastric cancer can cause pain in the upper abdomen. If the condition gradually worsens, it can manifest as persistent pain, postprandial fullness and vomiting, belching, and lack of appetite; upper gastrointestinal bleeding, manifesting as vomiting blood, blood in the stool, and black stools; there can also be difficulty swallowing, weight loss and anemia. If bone metastasis occurs, it can manifest as bone pain and pain in the lower back. If a large amount of ascites appears, it can lead to abdominal distension, with shifting dullness detectable on percussion. If liver metastasis occurs, it can manifest as jaundice, and enlargement of the supraclavicular lymph nodes can also occur.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
58sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of gastric cancer?

Symptoms of stomach cancer patients are like those of early-stage stomach cancer patients, who generally present with some nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and discomfort or acid reflux in the upper abdomen, similar to gastrointestinal ulcers or gastritis. These are some of the clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal symptoms. As the tumor progresses and invades the abdominal cavity or surrounding organs, the patient's symptoms will worsen, possibly causing overall abdominal bloating, discomfort, and even severe pain. Other symptoms include ascites, which is fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, vomiting, weight loss, anemia, and clinical manifestations such as vomiting blood or black stools, which are symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is gastric cancer contagious?

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor occurring in the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa. It is non-contagious. Currently, the incidence of gastric cancer is relatively high, primarily due to Helicobacter pylori infection, adverse environmental factors, and dietary irritants. Genetic factors also play a significant role, with 10% of gastric cancer patients having a family history. Those with a family history of gastric cancer have an incidence rate that is 2 to 3 times higher than the general population. Additionally, precancerous lesions can also induce gastric cancer, such as intestinal metaplasia, gastric polyps, residual gastritis, and gastric ulcers. Typical symptoms include indigestion, anemia, lack of appetite, aversion to food, and fatigue. Currently, gastroscopy combined with mucosal biopsy is the most reliable diagnostic method.