Stomach Cancer Symptoms

April 15, 2025

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Yanghee Woo, M.D., associate professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope^® Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center.

Stomach cancer is also known as gastric cancer. It's caused by abnormal changes in the growth and division of stomach cells. Symptoms usually don’t appear early on, but typically show up in more advanced stages.

Early Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

During early stages, stomach cancer may cause no symptoms, or symptoms may not be specific — for example, indigestion or stomach discomfort that doesn't go away. Since these symptoms mimic less serious conditions, many people may dismiss them.

Early stomach cancer symptoms may include the following.

Heartburn: This may include pain or burning in the throat or upper chest. Heartburn happens when acid from the stomach backs up into the throat.

Mild nausea: A person may feel more nauseated than usual, without regard to meals.

Late-Stage Stomach Cancer Symptoms

In advanced stages of stomach cancer, symptoms such as vomiting and unexplained weight loss may occur. Stomach cancers that are advanced may block the stomach or intestines. The cancer may affect other parts of the body, including the liver, lungs and bones, causing more symptoms.

Advanced-stage stomach cancer symptoms may include early symptoms as well as those listed below.

Feeling bloated even after not eating much (early satiety): A sign of indigestion, this may worsen in advanced stages of stomach cancer.

Trouble swallowing: A person may find it difficult to swallow if stomach cancer progresses to the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach).

Excessive belching: Feeling too full after eating, heartburn and nausea may cause someone to burp frequently.

Vomiting with or without blood: If a blockage has affected the stomach lining, vomit may contain blood.

Pain or burning in the belly (stomach, abdomen): This may range from a slight discomfort to pain and burning.

Indigestion: This may include pain, burning and discomfort in the upper part of the belly. During meals, a person may feel full too soon or experience burping and bloating.

Reduced appetite: A person may feel full all the time, affecting their desire to eat.

Sticky, dark or bloody stool: Blockages in the stomach or intestines may weaken the stomach lining, which may cause bleeding. Signs of bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract include black, tarry stools or bright red blood in the stool, depending on the site of the blockage.

Unexplained weight loss: Over time, feeling full too quickly while eating and bouts of mild nausea may affect appetite and lead to a loss of weight without trying.

Jaundice: Jaundice — yellowing of the eyes and skin — may develop if stomach cancer spreads to the liver. When the liver cannot process blood cells properly, a yellow chemical called bilirubin builds up, causing the telltale yellow coloring.

Fluid buildup in the abdomen: Also known as malignant ascites, this happens when cancer cells grow in the abdominal cavity and block the inner lining of the abdomen and the lymphatics. When the body is unable to clear away the fluid, it may accumulate in the belly. The belly may become distended, which means it's larger than usual and hard to the touch.

In addition to these symptoms, doctors may notice signs on medical testing that could signal risk factors for stomach cancer. For instance, when the body has too few healthy red blood cells, anemia may occur. It may make a person feel tired, weak and dizzy, or cause changes in their heartbeat. Doctors may check for anemia with a simple blood test.

Other medical conditions, such as peptic ulcers and heartburn, may have some of the same symptoms as stomach cancer. If treatments for heartburn and ulcers don't make the symptoms go away, patients should follow up with their doctor to rule out stomach cancer. In addition, if the patient has other risk factors for stomach cancer, he or she may need other tests, such as an upper endoscopy, to evaluate for stomach cancer.

Stomach Cancer Symptoms in Females Versus Males

Stomach cancer is more common in men than in women, but their symptoms are the same. Over a lifetime, 1 in every 101 men develop stomach cancer, compared to about 1 in 155 women. However, many factors may affect a person’s risk for developing stomach cancer, including diet, family history and other health conditions.

If a person is diagnosed with stomach cancer, his or her health care team will work to develop a personalized stomach cancer treatment plan.