Stomach cancer begins when cancer cells form in the inner lining of your stomach. These cells can grow into a tumor. Also called gastric cancer, the disease usually grows slowly over many years.

If you know the symptoms it causes, you and your doctor may be able to spot it early, when it’s easiest to treat.

People with stomach cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, people with stomach cancer do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer.

Early on, stomach cancer may cause:

• · Indigestion
• · Feeling bloated after you eat a meal
• · Heartburn
• · Slight nausea
• · Loss of appetite

            Just having indigestion or heartburn after a meal doesn’t mean you have cancer. But if you feel these symptoms a lot, talk to your doctor. He can see if you have other risk factors and test you to look for any problems.

            As stomach tumors grow, you may have more serious symptoms, such as:

• · Stomach pain
• · Blood in your stool
• · Vomiting
• · Weight loss for no reason
• · Trouble swallowing
• · Yellowish eyes or skin
• · Swelling in your stomach
• · Constipation or diarrhea
• · Weakness or feeling tired

If you are concerned about one or more of the symptoms or signs on this list, please talk with your doctor. Your doctor will ask how long and how often you’ve been experiencing the symptom(s), in addition to other questions. This is to help find out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis. If cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms remains an important part of cancer care and treatment. This may also be called symptom management, palliative care, or supportive care. Be sure to talk with your health care team about symptoms you experience, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.