What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer

Symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer may vary depending on the location and severity of the lesion, but include rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, indigestion, persistent stomach pain, blood in the stool, anemia, etc. If you have similar symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for screening and diagnosis.

1 Rapid weight loss

Patients with early-stage gastrointestinal cancer may lose weight significantly in a short period of time due to reduced food intake or tumors consuming a large amount of nutrients. Rapid weight loss is often a warning sign of multiple health problems. You can choose to have a timely gastroscopy or colonoscopy, blood tumor markers, etc. to rule out the possibility of gastrointestinal cancer.

2. Persistent stomach discomfort and pain

Persistent stomach pain or discomfort is one of the typical symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer. This pain is usually located in the upper abdomen, may worsen over time, and is not related to dietary patterns. The pain may be caused by the tumor compressing or irritating the nerves of the gastrointestinal tissue. If this type of discomfort persists for a long time, you should immediately consult a gastroenterologist for examinations such as X-rays and endoscopy.

3 Abnormal digestive system symptoms

Patients with gastrointestinal cancer may experience long-term indigestion, repeated nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, constipation or diarrhea, etc. Gastrointestinal tumors may directly affect digestive function and interfere with normal food digestion and excretion. The occurrence of such symptoms should not be ignored and timely medical treatment should be sought to determine the cause.

4 Occult blood in stool or anemia

Early gastrointestinal cancer can easily lead to mild gastrointestinal bleeding, which is often manifested as dark stool or occult blood, which may not be noticed by the patient, leading to chronic anemia, fatigue, pale complexion and other symptoms. Fecal occult blood detection is of great significance for the early detection of gastrointestinal cancer.

5. Loss of appetite and early satiety

Tumors may hinder the normal expansion of the gastrointestinal tract or the process of swallowing food, which may cause a significant decrease in appetite and a feeling of fullness after eating a small amount. Such symptoms can easily be mistaken for ordinary dietary problems, but if they persist for a long time, you need to be alert to the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.

6. Lumps or abnormal sensations

Patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer may feel a mass on the surface of the body or in the abdominal cavity, or experience an abnormal obstruction in the passage of food during meals. This is usually a signal of a more serious stage of the disease and requires immediate comprehensive examination.

If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, you should be highly alert to the possibility of gastrointestinal cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase the chance of cure. In daily life, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and regular physical examinations, especially for high-risk groups such as those with a family history or those over 40 years old.