QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
These are symptoms of lower gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal cancer. A gastric cancer - stomach cancer - would not produce lower gastrointestinal symptoms, as it is further away from the colon and rectum.
10001868
b
Change in bowel habits, fresh blood in the stool
QuestionChoice
This would indicate a more acute upper gastrointestinal lesion, such as a tear in the oesophagus, or a ruptured vein.

A gastric cancer is unlikely to cause large volumes of acute blood loss. It may cause chronic blood loss, which can cause anaemia or melaena (tarry, black stool due to digested blood, which has been lost from the stomach and digested in the small bowel).
10001870
d
Haematemesis (vomiting blood)
QuestionChoice
Unintentional, rapid weight loss is always a hallmark sign of cancer.

Gastric cancers tend to present with epigastric pain - pain in the centre of the abdomen, just under the diaphragm - in their early stages.
10001867
a
Weight loss, abdominal pain
QuestionChoice
These symptoms are indicative of renal colic, which is pain associated with kidney pathologies, such as a kidney stone.

Gastric cancers would not present with any renal symptoms. They classically present with weight loss and abdominal pain.
10001869
c
Pain radiating from the loin to the groin
QuestionChoice
Iron deficiency anaemia and fatigue are symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers, however, bloating would suggest a differential diagnosis such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
10001871
e
Bloating, iron deficiency anaemia, fatigue
Concept
Chapter
2693
3983
Gastric Cancer
Topic
136
Gastroenterology
12920
A 61-year-old man presents to General Practice with gastric cancer.

What signs and symptoms would you expect to find in this patient?
a