Gastric and oesophageal cancers symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms of gastric and oesophageal cancers
As is the case with several other types of cancer, symptoms of oesophageal and gastric cancer often do not appear in the early stages. And many of the early symptoms are vague and easy to mistake for other less serious conditions. As a result, oesophageal and gastric cancers tend to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
When symptoms do appear, they often affect your digestion, and can include:
| Oesophageal cancer | Gastric cancer |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot | Symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot |
| Heartburn or acid reflux | Heartburn or acid reflux |
| Having problems swallowing (dysphagia) | Persistent stomach pain |
| Feeling or being sick | Feeling very full or bloated after meals |
Symptoms of more advanced oesophageal and gastric cancer can include:
- blood in your stools, or black stools
- loss of appetite or feeling full after eating small amounts
- losing significant weight without trying – significant weight is defined as losing more than 10% of your body weight
