Gastric cancer or GERD?

I started having GERD/acid reflux symptoms that popped up out of nowhere one day. I was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer, based off of symptoms, about 8 months ago. I completed my antibiotics and have been taking Prilosec since. The pain is slightly better...less intense gnawing pain and my stomach is less tender to the touch. But I'm still having GERD symptoms - burning abdomen, stomach tender to the touch when poked, acid reflux, lump in throat, burning up back of throat, excessive belching and gas..I've also had diarrhea since the symptoms started almost a year ago.

I'm worrying that it's gastric cancer. Three months ago I had two ct scans of the abdomen. One with just iodine contrast and another with both iodine contrast and barium swallow. Both came back fine. Would gastric cancer show up on the ct scans? Do ulcers/h.pylori made GERD/acid reflux worse after treatment?

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Gastric cancer show up on CT scans. I would suggest an upper GI  endoscopy test to see if dudenal ulcer has healed and a biopsy /breath test to diagnose H.pylori infection.
Treatment of H. pylori can sometimes worsen acid reflux symptoms.

[kcb7]

Thank you for the answer! I have been off Prilosec for two weeks now so I can get an h.pylori breath test. I'm hoping it comes back positive so that I can get an answer for this pain!

Thanks for the help.