Stomach cancer is a type of cancer caused by the unperturbed growth of cancerous cells within the inner lining of the stomach. This disease is also known as gastric cancer. It is very difficult to diagnose the disease as patients do not experience any symptoms in its early stages. There were 28,000 new cases of stomach cancer in 2017 itself. This disease accounts for 1.7% of all new cancer cases in the country. While it is quite rare as compared to other forms of cancer, its most significant difficulty is getting a diagnosis at the right time. Here are a few common symptoms of gastric cancer.

Common symptoms of gastric cancer
There are no early symptoms or signs of gastric cancer. Symptoms of gastric cancer only appear in more advanced stages of the disease. Unfortunately, this results in people having little to no knowledge about this condition. There are several symptoms of advanced gastric cancer which can be identified immediately. If one suffers from the symptoms of gastric cancer mentioned below, they should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Remember, the sooner one seeks treatment, the better are their chances of survival. Here are a few common symptoms of advanced gastric cancer:

• Stomach pain: Patients with gastric cancer suffer from immense stomach pain which only worsens after they eat something.
• Nausea and vomiting: They suffer from frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting.
• Frequent heartburn: Patients often feel a burning sensation in their chest.
• Loss of appetite: Patients do not feel like eating as much as they once did, and they may also suffer from weight loss because of this.
• Constant bloating: The patient’s body may appear bloated for no apparent reason.
• Bloody stools: Patients may notice blood in their stools.
• Satiety: Patients may feel full despite eating a small quantity of food.
• Jaundice: Gastric cancer patients may develop jaundice.
• Extreme fatigue: Patients report feeling extremely tired and fatigued despite not doing much.

The disease often goes undiagnosed until it reaches its more advanced stages. Because of this, it is much more difficult to treat gastric cancer. Symptoms of gastric cancer must be identified as soon as possible to ensure that the patient receives treatment on time. Gastric cancer can be treated using chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or immunotherapy. The doctor will recommend treatment according to the stage of cancer and its origin. Whatever be the case, one must seek treatment at the earliest.