Institut National du Cancer
Cancer
Discover more
Cancer patient support
Digestive health supplements
Symptom tracker app
+1
Stomach Cancer Can Grow Silently: Here Are the Early Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Stomach cancer awareness
Stomach cancer is one of those diseases that can be difficult to recognize in its earliest stages.
That is partly because early stomach cancer may cause no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they can look remarkably similar to everyday digestive problems such as indigestion, acid reflux, bloating or an upset stomach.
I
Institut National du Cancer
Oncology specialist directory
That doesn’t mean every episode of heartburn or stomach pain is a sign of cancer. In fact, these symptoms are extremely common and are usually caused by conditions that are not cancer.
But when digestive symptoms are new, persistent, getting worse, or accompanied by other warning signs, they deserve attention.
Health
Discover more
Gut health probiotics
Cancer treatment options
Get Language Courses
The important message isn’t to panic.
It is to know what to watch for—and to understand when it is time to talk with a healthcare professional.
Book Cancer Screenings
What exactly is stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, begins in cells of the stomach. The most common type is adenocarcinoma, which develops from cells lining the stomach.
Institut National du Cancer
Book Cancer Screenings
Discover GERD Treatments
The stomach is an important part of the digestive system. It receives food from the esophagus, mixes it with digestive juices and gradually passes partially digested food into the small intestine.
When abnormal cells begin growing uncontrollably, a tumor can develop.
\
Stomach cancer can occur in different areas of the stomach, and the location and type of tumor can influence the symptoms a person experiences.
Discover more
Wellness coaching services
Pancreatic cancer treatment
science
One of the challenges is that early disease can be difficult to distinguish from ordinary digestive problems.
Stomach cancer awareness
Why can stomach cancer be difficult to notice?
Book Cancer Screenings
The National Cancer Institute notes that stomach cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms in its earliest stages. When symptoms do occur early, they may include indigestion, stomach discomfort, bloating after eating, mild nausea, reduced appetite and heartburn.
I
Institut National du Cance
These symptoms are easy to dismiss.
Track Health Symptoms
Someone might think they ate too much.
Another person might blame spicy food.
Someone else might assume their heartburn is simply getting worse with age.
Sometimes that explanation is correct.
But persistent or changing symptoms shouldn’t automatically be dismissed, particularly when several symptoms occur together.
Discover more
Pancreatic cancer risk
Stomach cancer resources
Early detection tests
1. Persistent indigestion or heartburn
Discover GERD Treatments
Symptom relief products
Indigestion is one of the symptoms that can occur with stomach cancer.
You may notice discomfort after eating, frequent burping, heartburn or an unusual feeling of fullness.
The problem is that indigestion is extremely common.
Acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers, certain medications and dietary habits can all produce similar symptoms.
The key issue is change.
Explore Anatomy Models
If you normally have occasional heartburn but suddenly develop persistent or significantly different symptoms, it is worth discussing them with a healthcare professional.
The NHS recommends medical assessment when digestive symptoms don’t improve or become worse, particularly when they are accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Consult Online Doctors
N
nhs.uk
Discover more
Browse Digital Magazines
Cancer prevention guide
Chronic disease management
2. Feeling full unusually quickly
Oncology specialist directory
Another symptom people sometimes overlook is becoming full after eating only a small amount.
You might sit down for a normal meal and find that you can eat only a few bites before feeling unusually full or bloated.
This symptom can have m
However, persistent early fullness can be a reason to seek medical advice, particularly if it occurs together with appetite loss, abdominal discomfort or unexplained weight loss.
Find Recovery Support
Book Cancer Screenings
The NHS lists feeling full very quickly when eating among possible symptoms of stomach cancer.
N
nhs.uk
Discover more
Medical symptom checker
men
Disease research updates
3. Loss of appetite
A noticeable reduction in appetite can have many explanations.
Deadly disease information
Stress, infections, medications, depression, digestive disorders and numerous other health problems can affect how much someone wants to eat.
