Stomach Cancer Diagnosis
Stomach cancer symptoms may be unrecognizable in the cancer’s early stages because the symptoms may not appear initially, or, if they do, they may seem unrelated to cancer. In fact, some symptoms may be caused by another ailment altogether, such as an ulcer, stomach virus or even another type of cancer. For this reason, it’s important for a patient to seek a professional diagnosis to determine whether or not the symptoms they’re experiencing are being caused by stomach cancer.
Some of the stomach cancer symptoms that may appear during the cancer’s early stages include:
- Discomfort or pain in the stomach area
- Difficulty swallowing
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling full or bloated after a small meal
- Sensation of food getting stuck in throat while eating
As the stomach cancer progresses, symptoms may become more severe and can include:
- Weakness or fatigue
- Vomiting blood
- Blood in stool
- Unexplained weight loss
It’s important for patients who are experiencing these symptoms to seek medical attention, especially if these symptoms persist for an extended period of time or get worse. As a part of Moffitt Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, patients are assigned a multispecialty team of experts who specialize in all aspects of stomach cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment and support. If stomach cancer is diagnosed, our multispecialty team will come together in a tumor board to discuss and develop an individualized treatment plan. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute, Moffitt offers the most advanced cancer treatment options, including some of the most effective chemotherapy and radiation treatments available, as well as innovative therapies in clinical trials that aren’t yet available at other facilities.
Contact Moffitt Cancer Center at 1-888-663-3488, or complete our new patient registration form to learn more about stomach cancer symptoms as well as our various diagnostic techniques and treatment options. No referral is needed to meet with our multispecialty team.
Diagnosis