Stomach Cancer

In the early stages of stomach cancer, symptoms may not occur at all. For this reason, many people with stomach cancer aren’t diagnosed until it’s already advanced. Several symptoms of stomach cancer are also seen in other, less serious conditions. This means stomach cancer may be difficult to recognise at first.

Early stomach cancer symptoms

Symptoms of early stomach cancer can include:

• dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

• bloating after meals

• burping

• heartburn

• altered taste

• persistent indigestion

• stomach ache or pain in your breastbone

• trapped wind

• vomiting, which may contain blood

Advanced stomach cancer symptoms

Symptoms of advanced stomach cancer can include:

• loss of appetite

• weight loss

• fluid in your abdomen

• blood in your stool (poo)

• anaemia (low red blood cells)

Medical experts aren’t sure why some stomach cells become cancerous. It’s not known why only a few people develop stomach cancer. 

Risk factors

Some key factors that may increase your risk of developing stomach cancer include:

• sex: stomach cancer is more common in men

• age: 95% of people who develop stomach cancer are over 50 

• helicobacter pylori infection: a common bacterium that can also cause stomach ulcers

• diet: not enough fruit and vegetables, and a diet high in processed meats, red meat, or smoked foods

• ethnic background: stomach cancer is more common in South American, Central American, and Eastern European people

• smoking

• alcohol

• being overweight or obese

• family history of gastric cancer

• long-term acid reflux

• inheriting a genetic change that causes a bowel disorder such as familial adenomatous polyposis or Lynch syndrome

• previous radiotherapy for other cancers

Since the symptoms of stomach cancer are similar to other gastric conditions, specialists can’t usually tell if you have stomach cancer without doing tests. First, they’ll see you for an initial consultation and take your medical and family history and ask you to talk about your symptoms. 

They’ll then send you for tests. These may include the following:

• upper GI endoscopy or gastroscopy: a narrow, flexible, tube-like telescopic camera called an endoscope is used to look inside your stomach

• biopsy: a small sample of tissue is removed from your stomach and sent to a laboratory to look for cancer cells

• barium swallow: a test that involves drinking white barium liquid, which shows up on X-rays. This test can show any growths or abnormal-looking areas in your oesophagus (food pipe)

Staging of stomach cancer

If tests show that you have stomach cancer, your consultant will recommend further tests to find out how advanced it is. This is called staging.

The stage of cancer describes the size of the cancer and whether it has spread beyond its original site. Knowing the stage of cancer helps your consultant determine the most appropriate treatment.

Diagnostic same-day procedures at Welbeck

Our leading gastroenterology specialists have diagnosed and managed many patients with stomach cancer. Most of our services can be conducted as day-case procedures, without the need for an overnight stay. It may take a few days for the results of laboratory tests from a biopsy to become available.

It’s not possible to prevent stomach cancer. However, you can try to reduce your risk by:

• maintaining a healthy weight

• exercising regularly

• avoiding smoking or using other tobacco products

• eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in red meat and salt

• treating stomach conditions such as ulcers and gastritis

If stomach cancer is found at an early stage, then treatment for this condition can be successful. 

Without treatment, stomach cancer can spread to other parts of the body or organs, such as your liver, and become life-threatening. 

Up to 70% of people with stomach cancer that hasn’t spread survive for at least 5 years after treatment. For those whose stomach cancer is advanced and has spread when treatment begins, around 6% survive for at least 5 years.

Your treatment options will depend on how advanced your cancer is. You’ll be able to discuss your treatment options with your consultant. They’ll give you details about those that may be more suitable for your individual personal and healthcare needs.

The options may include:

Surgery

The main treatment for stomach cancer is surgery. If your cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it may be possible to completely remove the cancer with surgery.

The type of surgery you need for cancer of the stomach depends on which part of the stomach the cancer is in. These surgeries are:

• partial gastrectomy: to remove part of your stomach

• total gastrectomy: to remove your entire stomach

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer medicines to kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. This treatment can be given before stomach surgery to make the tumour easier to remove, and after surgery to stop cancer cells from coming back.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy can be used to slow the growth and ease the symptoms of advanced stomach cancer, such as pain, bleeding, and eating problems. Radiotherapy can also be given after stomach cancer surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain.

At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.