Gastric Cancer?

  Hi I'm 26 and have had abdominal discomfort, some weight loss and have been taking prescribed Prilosec two weeks after the symptoms appeared. I've been on this for about 4 weeks now and will be getting an endoscopy soon. The pain seems to have gone other than some occasional belching and light indigestion on heavier meals. What worries me is that my two blood tests show negative for H. Pylori and my stool tests shows no bleeding. My doctor said it was pretty uncommon for someone my age to have gastric cancer but he didn't say what then would be causing these Ulcer like symptoms and if the prilosec was simply masking the symptoms. If the blood work doesn't show H. pylori could it still be the bacteria or could it be something else (benign). Coincedentally I have started to gain a few pounds back and my appetite is back to normal. What would be some other signs of gastric cancer?
Dear Eric,
Your doctor is correct. Gastric cancer rarely occurs in the United States, however, it is the most common cancer worldwide. Environmental factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary substances, socioeconomic status and a variety of precancerous lesions (such as chronic atrophic gastritis) appear to play a role. Presenting symptoms include: dyspepsia, abdominal pain, early satiety, weight loss and anemia. Endoscopy with brush biopsy and histologic examination of six to eight specimens will confirm the diagnosis in 98% of affected patients. Unfortunately, most patients are diagnosed late in the course of their disease. Your symptoms can be secondary to an ulcer secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin or ibuprofen), gastroesophageal reflux disease, nonulcer dyspepsia, gallstones or pancreatitis. I hope you find this information helpful.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568 our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: gastric cancer, environmental factors, presenting symptoms, diagnosis