Early gastric cancer symptom-free in 39-year-old woman detected during check-up

A routine health check-up unexpectedly revealed early-stage gastric cancer in a 39-year-old woman in Taiwan, underscoring the critical role of proactive screenings in detecting the disease before symptoms manifest.

The woman had no history of chronic illness and reported no gastrointestinal discomfort, such as abdominal pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, or weight loss. However, during a gastroscopy examination, physicians identified a small ulcer, less than a centimeter in size, in the mid-body of her stomach. While the ulcer showed signs of healing and resembled a typical benign ulcer, a subsequent biopsy revealed it to be an early-stage gastric cancer.

Dr. Huang Chun-wen, a gastroenterologist at the National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, noted that the lesion's location in the mid-stomach was unusual, as benign gastric ulcers commonly occur in the lower part of the stomach, the gastric antrum. Furthermore, the abnormal pulling of the gastric folds around the ulcer and its uneven surface differed from the typical appearance of benign ulcers, prompting the decision for a biopsy.

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The patient's lesion was located in the mid-body of the stomach, which is less common. Additionally, the surrounding gastric folds showed abnormal pulling and the surface was uneven, differing from the typical morphology of benign ulcers.

The pathology report identified the cancer as signet ring cell carcinoma, a type known for its aggressive nature. Dr. Huang warned that by the time symptoms appear, the disease often progresses to a stage where treatment is significantly more challenging. The patient, who does not smoke or drink, tested positive for H. pylori, a bacterial infection that, along with potential genetic predispositions, is believed to be a contributing factor to her cancer.

Dr. Huang advised individuals with a family history of gastric or other gastrointestinal cancers, those who smoke or drink heavily, or consume a diet high in grilled, fried, or excessively salty foods, to consider undergoing gastroscopy screenings even in the absence of symptoms. He highlighted the increasing trend of younger individuals developing cancer and the Westernization of diets as reasons for heightened vigilance. The doctor also reminded the public that the government offers a one-time free H. pylori stool antigen test for individuals aged 45 to 74, emphasizing that this infection, often asymptomatic, can increase the risk of gastric cancer over time.

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Many people mistakenly believe that 'no symptoms mean no problem,' but in reality, many early-stage gastric cancers, colon polyps, and even precancerous lesions may have no symptoms initially.