Many early symptoms of stomach cancer are unfortunately overlooked or mistaken for common indigestion or mild digestive disorders. This delay in recognition often leads to late diagnosis, when treatment options become limited.

Stomach cancer is one of the most common and deadly malignant diseases worldwide. According to the latest GLOBOCAN 2022 data, it ranks fifth globally in new cancer cases, with nearly 1 million new diagnoses (approximately 970,000 cases) recorded in a single year. Its high mortality rate highlights the critical importance of early detection.

Gastroenterology specialists warn that while people often focus on general symptoms such as weight loss or loss of appetite, changes occurring directly in the abdominal area may signal disease progression. If any of the following four signs appear in the abdomen, immediate medical evaluation is strongly recommended.

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1. Persistent Upper Abdominal (Epigastric) Pain

This is the most common—and most frequently ignored—early symptom. The pain is usually located in the upper abdomen, just below the breastbone. In the early stages, it may feel mild or similar to ordinary stomach pain.

However, persistent pain that gradually worsens, does not improve with common antacids or painkillers, and continues over time may indicate deep tumor invasion or severe ulceration. If the pain radiates to the back, it may suggest that the cancer has spread to the pancreas.

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2. Unusual Bloating and Persistent Fullness

Ongoing bloating, indigestion, or abdominal distension that is not related to overeating should raise concern.

As a tumor grows inside the stomach, it can reduce the flexibility of the stomach wall and interfere with normal digestion and food passage into the small intestine. This often leads to early satiety, where a person feels full after eating only a small amount of food. Bloating may also occur if the tumor partially blocks the pylorus, the stomach’s outlet.

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3. A Palpable Lump or Hard Mass in the Upper Abdomen

This is a more advanced and serious sign, often indicating that the tumor has grown large or has spread. If a firm, immobile mass can be felt under the skin in the upper or central abdomen, it may be an enlarged stomach tumor.

In some cases, smaller hard lumps may also be detected elsewhere due to lymph node metastasis. Any mass that does not move when pressed requires urgent medical assessment, typically through imaging studies.

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4. Abnormal Abdominal Enlargement or Ascites

In advanced stages, stomach cancer may spread to the lining of the abdomen, causing abnormal fluid accumulation, known as ascites. This leads to visible abdominal swelling that is not related to weight gain.

Unlike ordinary weight gain, ascites is often accompanied by unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and a heavy or tight sensation in the abdomen. The presence of ascites usually indicates late-stage disease and is associated with a much poorer prognosis.

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The Importance of Early Screening

Doctors consistently emphasize that regular health check-ups and gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) are the most effective methods for early detection of stomach cancer. Self-medicating for abdominal pain can delay diagnosis and worsen outcomes.

Anyone experiencing persistent or unexplained abdominal symptoms, especially those described above, should seek medical evaluation promptly. Early diagnosis remains the key factor in improving survival and treatment success in stomach cancer.

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