What Are the Differential Diagnoses for Gastric Cancer?

Gastric cancer is mainly differentiated from other abdominal diseases, including superficial gastritis, functional dyspepsia, gastric leiomyoma and sarcoma, hypertrophic antral gastritis, and primary malignant lymphoma. It is also necessary to differentiate it from gastric mucosal prolapse, gastric fundus varices, pseudo-lymphoma, and foreign body granuloma. In particular, when a mass is palpated in the upper abdomen, it needs to be distinguished from transverse colon or pancreatic tumors. Common symptoms of gastric cancer include abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, and anemia.

If there is a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen, and discomfort is occasionally felt, it may be due to indigestion, which is related to irregular eating habits, overeating, and binge eating.

If a person usually eats a lot of food, but suddenly becomes reluctant to eat for a period of time, with a significant decrease in appetite, and the urine appears dark brown, it is important to be vigilant as this may be a symptom of gastric cancer.

If there are symptoms of vomiting and nausea, it is also necessary to be alert for the possibility of gastric cancer. In addition, if there is acid reflux, and at the same time, the stomach emits an unpleasant sour odor, it is likely to be a sign of gastric cancer reaction, and it is best to go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible.

If an obese person suddenly becomes thin without losing weight, and anemia also begins to worsen, it is necessary to consider whether it is gastric cancer. However, this phenomenon generally occurs in people over 40 years of age.