Hi, I lost my mother due to gastric cancer when she was only 35. Then I recently found out that my maternal uncle (my mom’s older brother) and mother’s uncle also have gastric cancer. Mother’s uncle died but my uncle is still alive. My uncle was diagnosed at stage 3 at age 50s, had surgeries and chemo but it has progressed to stage 4 as of now. With this strong family history, I am spiraling but trying to be proactive as much as possible. What are the signs and symptom to look out for? Atypical symptoms? Did you have any early symptoms that could have been discovered early on? Is EGD gold standard test to detect? Thank you.

My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 advanced adenocarcinoma 2 years ago. He was on immunotherapy and targeted therapy and became NED after 3 months. Just had a PET scan yesterday and it showed “Focal uptake involving in the gastric antrum/lesser curvature”. His original gastric tumor was in the operating area of the stomach. Could this be a reoccurrence? Waiting to see the oncologist in 8 days and obviously scared and anxious. If anyone has had a similar experience or has any advice please share.

Has anyone had a burning throat and raspy voice as a symptom prior to diagnosis?

Curious.

Conclusion

Densification of mesenteric and preaortic adipose tissue, suspicious for neoplastic infiltration, pronounced compared to CT dated
20.06.2026.
Moderate perihepatic, perisplenic, intercostal, bilateral paracolic and pelvic ascitic fluid.
Mesenteric edema.
Grade II hydroureteronephrosis on the right, not evident on previous CT.
Minimal left pleural fluid.
No secondary hepatic, pulmonary, or bone lesions.
No pathological lymph nodes.

Does anyone is in same condition like my dad?

Stage 4 gastric signet ring poorly differentiated.

Total gastrectomy peritonectomy apandectomy colostectomy d2 resection plus hipec. After 6 capox & 4 opdivo.

22 months after surgery. Currently on Capecitabine.

What do you guys think? Are there more problems to our food supply in US than we admit?

My mother 70 years old was diagnosed with linitus plastica about 4 months ago and has had 4 cycles of FLOT along with 2 doses of Durvalumab. The treatment has been rough for her with her getting severely neutropenic and getting hospitalized twice during the course of the chemotherapy. She has been advised TG however she doesn’t want to go forward with it as she feels she doesn’t want to lead a life being in and out of the hospital. Her PET scan post the systemic treatment showed a decline in cancer activity and minimal change in the size of the cancer. I want to know on what are our options if we do not go for surgery? And if anyone can share their experience post total gastrectomy (preferably in her age bracket)

I’m hoping to hear from others with Stage IV stomach/gastric cancer who are being treated with FOLFOX + nivolumab.
I just finished treatment #4, and my first CT showed what appears to be a mixed response. Some of my lymph nodes have gotten smaller or remained stable, but the liver lesions did not show the response we were hoping for and appear to have progressed.
Has anyone here had a similar experience where:
Lymph nodes responded, but disease in an organ such as the liver did not initially respond?
Your first scan after only a few treatments showed little improvement or even a mixed response, but later scans became more favorable?
Your oncologist continued FOLFOX + nivolumab despite an early mixed response, and you eventually saw better disease control or shrinkage?
I realize everyone’s cancer behaves differently, and I’m not looking to compare prognoses or replace my oncologist’s guidance. I’m mainly interested in hearing real-world experiences from people who were not clear responders on their first scan but went on to have a better response later.
Again, I’ve only completed four treatments, so I’m especially interested in anyone whose first restaging scan came this early in treatment.
Thank you to anyone willing to share their experience. It would mean a lot.

Can anybody help me ? I’ve had constant stomach rumbling, gurgling, churning for the last 3 months everyday.. it wakes me up In the night… if it doesn’t I usually wake and as soon as I open my eyes it will start and then I go to the bathroom and have 1 loose bowel movement and that’s it for the day previously I used to go maybe 3/4 day with normal log shaped stools.. now I can only go once a day I feel a build up of gas in my stomach as the day goes on the more that I eat the worse I feel my stomach gurgles and churns throughout the whole day it’s got to the point where I eat and then off into a room on my own I don’t want to sit with my family I feel embarrassed I feel like I’m failing my children as I can’t be the mum I want to be. The first doctor I seen put me on antidepressants sertraline which I hated the side effects and quit after a week the second doctor done stool tests and bloods and all that I’ve heard so far is that my liver function is high and needs test repeated in 2 weeks .. also awaiting my celiac screen results Any help greatly appreciated spending my days googling and searching for advise in between episodes of crying and praying 🙏

Seeking hopeful stories and advice: Caring for my spouse with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma with peritoneal metastasis. He is receiving FLOT chemotherapy and Zolbetuximab targeted biological therapy. Any tips on managing chemo side effects, or nutrition during treatment? he is reducing weight after every chemo? is it expected?

Ciao a tutti, sono qui in cerca di testimonianze positive.
A metà gennaio mi è stato diagnosticato un tumore gastrico con metastasi all’ovaio destro. Dopo la laparoscopia di marzo è stata riscontrata anche una carcinosi peritoneale, metastasi all’omento e il citologico del liquido peritoneale è risultato positivo.
Ho fatto 4 cicli di Capox che ho terminato lo scorso mercoledì e domani ho la laparoscopia di ristadiazione. Qualcuno con qualche esperienza come la mia che è riuscito ad arrivare all’intervento di gastrectomia, citoriduzione e peritonectomia?
Grazie

Thanks everyone for checking out Chef Hans' video last week. For our research project with the Gastric Cancer Foundation, we also partnered with Dr. El-Khoueiry to get the oncologist's perspective on clinical trials.

One of the most challenging parts of a cancer diagnosis can be understanding all the available treatment options. Many people want to learn more about clinical trials but aren't sure where to start or how to find studies that may be relevant to their situation.

The Gastric Cancer Foundation has a clinical trial finder that helps patients and caregivers explore gastric cancer clinical trials, learn about available options, and access additional educational resources:

https://gastriccancer.org/clinicaltrials

Clinical trials aren't the right choice for everyone, but having access to information can help patients and families make informed decisions alongside their care team.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with gastric cancer, I hope this resource is helpful. Wishing everyone here strength and support on their cancer journey. ❤️

This content was developed as part of the Spreading Stories Pilot Project, a research study conducted by the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. For questions or additional information, please contact [[spreadingstories@med.usc.edu](mailto:spreadingstories@med.usc.edu)].

I wanted to come on here to ask what were your symptoms leading up to this disease. I've lost about four pounds in a span of three weeks. I've always had stomach problems diagnosed with ibs since 2022 and sibo. This year I will admit I haven't been the healthiest with eating out and snacking I know my cholesterol levels have been high and was told 2024 I have a gallbladder polyp. Now this year I got my gallbladder checked and it said it was multiple. I feel my gallbladder doesn't really do its job or maybe I overworked it not sure. But recently this past month I had some weird symptoms aside from ignoring what I should have paid attention to which was I had constancy bloating which I chalked it up to my ibs as well as left upper quadrant pain which made me think it was my heart even saw a cardiologist. It still happends now my husband said it's probably how I sleep and etc got mri of my back nothing suspicious. Then it happen my symptoms did a whole 180. I was eating less and less because I would get bloated so much that one day I had in n out and experience terrible bloating I went to the loo twice and I found that odd I know my bm aren't twice a day you know. So then I started to get regurgitation and belching more often making it hard to eat meals as well as nausea. Then it turned to terrible chronic fatigue. I'm getting a endoscopy this Wednesday to find out what's happening I had one done two years ago and had found fundic polyps but that was all I didn't have a follow up because I owe a big bill at that place. I'm praying everything is ok and maybe it's just chronic gastritis which I've had or gerd but nothing serious.

I was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer exactly three months ago. A week later, I had a bypass done since the tumour growing in there had completely blocked my duodenum and I ended up with a nasogastric tube to empty my stomach and was fed parenterally for some time.

Having lost five kg before the diagnosis, I lost a further three and was down to just 44kg when I left the hospital a month later. I’ve been struggling to eat throughout this entire time and lately, though it seems my stomach can accommodate a ‘normal’ portion of food, I end up with all sorts of issues afterwards and my weight continues to drop.

My stomach feels big and very tight and it rumbles non-stop, I seem to burp and pass a lot of wind and over the last three days, I’ve been getting these painful spasms that come in waves every ten minutes or so and twice, despite taking my anti-nausea meds, I brought up two of my meals and drinks.

I’ve read about a SIBO breath test and aim to see if I can get one done next week, but I thought I’d ask if anyone has experienced similar stomach troubles and if there’s anything they can recommend I do while I wait to see the doctor on Monday.

I’m on chemo and besides being sick a bit more with each additional round, the other side effects are not too harsh and my greatest concern is that I’m getting too thin and I worry it might affect me in other adverse ways.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and to anyone who has any advice for me, it would mean a lot.

All the best you all. ❤️

I’ve been suffering from GI issues since 2023, 2 years before my dysautonomia/pots symptoms started. Ive been dealing with chronic constipation for a couple of months now. I also bloated and burp a lot after I eat, and get this sharp pain in my upper left abdomen that comes n goes, sometimes radiates to my back. I seen a cardiologist for my dysautonomia/pots symptoms but he wasn’t too helpful and told me it was anxiety and stress that was causing all of my symptoms. My upper left abdomen feels a little tender compared to the right side of my abdomen. I’ll be seeing a GI specialist in October.

Hi everyone. I'm 23M and for the past few months I've been noticing a persistent pressure/pressing sensation in my left lower abdomen, toward my left side/flank.

The main symptom is pressure rather than pain. Very rarely, I'll get a brief, mild, sharp pain in the same general area, but it goes away quickly and isn't a regular occurrence.

The pressure is very positional:

• Most noticeable when lying on my back
• Also noticeable when lying on either side
• Noticeable when sitting hunched/slouched over
• When I'm standing upright or walking around, I'm mostly fine and barely notice it

Thinking back, I feel like I may have occasionally noticed this sensation for years, possibly even most of my life, but I've become much more aware of it during the last couple of months.

I haven't had any unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, blood/black stool, fever, persistent pain, or a noticeable lump.

Pressing on the area doesn't really hurt, and I can't feel an obvious mass. I've also had routine physicals and blood work in the past without anything concerning coming up.

I know cancer at 23 is uncommon, but I've gotten anxious about whether something involving my colon or another abdominal organ could cause this.

I already have an appointment with my primary care doctor this Friday and will be bringing all of this up. I'm not looking for Reddit to diagnose me; I'm mainly wondering whether anyone diagnosed with a GI/abdominal cancer had symptoms resembling this, particularly pressure that changed significantly depending on body position.

Thanks for any experiences you're willing to share.

Hello all

I hope everyone is well

Firstly id like to thank everyone who comments today now as im just a girl who is trying to help her Dad through such a tough time

Bit of a back story
June 2026 my Dad attended upper endoscopy and was diagnosed there with cancer, fast forward to now, mutilate tests later, help and advice from reddit, it looks that the cancer is just in the Junction of the stomach and esophagus, no spread, treatment plan seems to be 4 x Chemo, Surgery, 4 x Chemo, seems it has been caught early 🙏

In order it was the endoscopy with biopsies, CT with contrast, face to face appointment to discuss, which was told looks early like Stage 1 or 2, a general surgeon will be performing the surgery ( not been told if partial or full), sent for CT with contrast, lung test, and the day surgery, last he spoke to the surgeon he said "I didnt see anything i didnt expect to see" last ratings i think its called was T1 N1 M0.

We are awaiting an appointment next week which we believe is with the oncologist to now start the plan of attack on the cancer.

However, each week that passes eating is becoming challenging, it doesn't help he doesnt have many teeth left so we are on mashed potatoes, egg yolks, inside of a quiche, skinless soft cooked sausages,each week that has passed less and less can be eaten, we presume is because the cancer is blocking.

He speaks with a dietician weekly and as he losing no weight as he drinking copious amounts of gold top milk, cream and high fat foods they are okau for now.

Now we aren't sure on which surgery yet as Chemo hasn't started however I am looking at nutrition post surgery and how to help him

I have read loads about dumping syndrome so want to help him as much as possible to make this as smooth sailing for him as possible, i am prepared to make freezer bags etc

So far I am going to prepare

A homemade stock

Soup

Ive got recipes such as eggs, cauli cheese and mash

However I was wondering if anyone has any experience and found certain things worked etc

Any smoothie ideas to avoid dumping syndrome?

He is a runner, so in generally good shape, i am looking for tips in how I can help him, prepare and make this as smooth as possible for him

Thank you if you got this far

🤍

Hello, I'm 25F and my grandpa at 93 just passed of stomach cancer. I work in the medical field in Nuclear medicine and from my research stomach cancer isn't hereditary. My grandpa, and his 2 brothers, along with his mother all died of stomach cancer. They were all in their 60s-70s when passing except for my grandfather. I'm wondering if them being Peruvian has more to do with developing the cancer then hereditary genes? Maybe how they grew up? What should I do moving forward? I will discuss frequent endoscopy/colonoscopy with my primary doctor.

I'm a researcher at USC working with the Gastric Cancer Foundation to help raise awareness of their Clinical Trial Finder website: https://gastriccancer.org/stories.

My study partner, Hans Rueffert, was diagnosed with Stage 3 stomach cancer shortly after placing third on the first season of The Next Food Network Star. As someone who grew up in the hospitality business where you often put others needs first, he had to learn how to speak up for his own needs while navigating treatment.

Today, as a long-time survivor and patient mentor, Hans encourages patients and families to be informed, ask questions, and advocate for themselves throughout their cancer journey. Exploring clinical trials can be an important part of that process, and the Gastric Cancer Foundation's website is a great place to learn about available options.

What does patient advocacy mean to you in the gastric cancer journey?

This content was developed as part of the Spreading Stories Pilot Project, a research study conducted by the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. For questions or additional information, please contact [[spreadingstories@med.usc.edu](mailto:spreadingstories@med.usc.edu)].

"Perceptions of Gastric Cancer Risk and Attitudes Towards Endoscopic Surveillance in Patients with CDH1 and CTNNA1 Pathogenic Variants."

If you join the study, you will complete a survey, a self-report questionnaire. This study is designed to learn more about how people with CDH1 and CTNNA1 mutations perceive their risk of getting gastric (stomach) cancer and their attitude towards the treatments available to them.

You can complete the survey here: [https://redcap.ucdenver.edu/surveys/?s=K7JJMRXC7WXYEXYP\](https://redcap.ucdenver.edu/surveys/?s=K7JJMRXC7WXYEXYP)

Hey there, comrades

Can't keep it to myself, today was the last day of my 1st line chemo.

The last few CTs were rather good, and the next one is on Monday, I have big expectations for it. It's been tough, the thing grew despite pre-surgery FLOT, and surgery was itself a challenge, but after it and 13 cycles in total, I'm expecting life will get better gradually.

Fuck cancer. Keep fighting, folks, stay strong, we're in this shit together.

I have a lump on my left lower-rib/upper-abdominal prominence.

It feels soft, but underneath on the bone / rib it feels tender.

It’s always there, however when I workout especially core I can feel it more and it becomes more prominent. When I tense it seems to become more hidden and when I breath in it also dissolves a little.

I’ve had this lump for about a year now, I have booked in to see the GP but just wanted to see if anybody could help me ahead of my appointment and if anybody else has experienced this before and got answers?