What kind of treatment will I need?
How was your stomach cancer diagnosed?
Upper endoscopy (also called esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD) is the test most often done if the doctor thinks you might have stomach cancer. During this test, the doctor passes an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a small video camera on the end, down your throat.
How Long Does stomach cancer take to develop?
Stomach cancer is a slow-growing cancer that usually develops over a year or longer. Generally, there are no symptoms in the early stages (asymptomatic). As the disease progresses, a variety of symptoms can develop.
Does anyone survive stomach cancer?
Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after they were diagnosed.
…
5-year relative survival rates for stomach cancer.
SEER stage | 5-year relative survival rate |
---|---|
Distant | 6% |
All SEER stages combined | 32% |
What can be mistaken for stomach cancer?
Misdiagnosing Stomach Cancer
Consequently, stomach cancer may be confused with the following conditions: Irritable bowel syndrome. A condition that affects the lower gastrointestinal tract and causes abnormal bowel movements and abdominal pain. Indigestion.
What are 7 warning signs of cancer?
Signs of Cancer
- Change in bowel or bladder habits.
- A sore that does not heal.
- Unusual bleeding or discharge.
- Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere.
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
- Obvious change in a wart or mole.
- Nagging cough or hoarseness.
How long can stomach cancer go undetected?
As the cancer progresses, the symptoms that do appear can be misdiagnosed as normal gastrointestinal issues. As a result, stomach cancer can go undetected for years before the symptoms become concerning enough to warrant diagnostic testing.
What are the symptoms of Stage 1 stomach cancer?
Early Stage Stomach Cancer Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Abdominal pain or vague pain just above the belly button area.
- Indigestion, heartburn or vomiting.
- Loss of or decrease in appetite.
- Weakness or fatigue.
- Blood in vomit or stool.
- A feeling of fullness after small meals.
What is the main cause of stomach cancer?
The main cause of stomach cancer is a genetic mutation (change) in the cells of the stomach, which causes the cells to grow rapidly and eventually form a tumor. Risk factors that can increase a person’s chance of getting stomach cancer include: Family history. Smoking.
Does stomach cancer show up in blood tests?
You might have blood tests to help diagnose stomach cancer. Blood tests can: check your general health, including how well your liver and kidneys are working. check numbers of blood cells.
Where Does stomach cancer spread first?
The most common place for stomach cancer to spread is to the liver. It can also spread to the lungs, to lymph nodes or to the tissue lining the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).