What should you know about malignant stomach cancer?

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, begins when abnormal cells in the stomach grow in an uncontrolled way. It may extend through the stomach wall, involve nearby lymph nodes, or spread to other organs. Doctors use endoscopy with biopsy, scans, and other tests to establish the diagnosis and stage. Helicobacter pylori infection is one factor that can affect stomach health, but a diagnosis has multiple possible contributing factors.

Loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, early fullness, abdominal discomfort, or unplanned weight loss can occur. These symptoms have many causes, so they do not by themselves establish cancer. The tumour’s location, cell features, stage, nutritional status, and overall health all influence treatment.

Ask whether the tumour has been tested for features that may guide medicines, including HER2 status and markers relevant to immunotherapy. Treatment may combine stomach removal surgery, chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or nutritional support. A dietitian can help with smaller meals, hydration, protein, and vitamin needs before or after surgery. If part or all of the stomach is removed, the team will explain how eating patterns and digestion may change and how to recognise problems early.

Contact the care team promptly for repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, black stools, vomiting blood, worsening abdominal swelling, severe pain, fever, or marked weakness. Seek emergency help for heavy bleeding, fainting, confusion, or sudden severe pain. These signs can indicate bleeding, blockage, dehydration, infection, or another problem needing rapid assessment.

Ask: Where is the tumour and what is its stage? What did the biopsy show? Has the tumour been tested for HER2 or other treatment markers? Will surgery remove part or all of the stomach? How can I protect nutrition and manage eating changes? Which symptoms should trigger an urgent call?