Symptoms of cancer and is burping a sign of cancer?
Symptoms Of Cancer And Is Burping A Sign Of Cancer?
Introduction
Various issues such as indigestion, acid reflux trigger burping, and by itself burping is usually not a sign of cancer. However, when the burping is either persistent or excessive, and if accompanied along with other symptoms, it could indicate cancer. For instance, symptoms such as weight loss, difficulty swallowing, pain that does not resolve, or changes in appetite. Here is a look at symptoms of cancer and answers to the question – is burping a sign of cancer?
What Is The Relation Between Belching And Cancer?
Let us look at additional info to answer the question – is burping a sign of cancer? Also known as belching, burping, is a bodily function that occurs due to release of excess gas from the digestive tract. This is typically related to conditions that are not cancerous in nature. However, in specific cases, persistent belching can be linked to serious conditions, and that includes cancer.
Outline of belching when related to cancer
Stomach cancer – In certain cases, unresolved belching can be an indication of stomach cancer. This will usually be accompanied by symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, feelings of nausea, sudden dip in appetite, weight loss, and a full feeling.
Esophageal cancer – Excessive belching is also known to occur in esophageal cancer, when accompanied by other symptoms. For instance, difficulty swallowing, pain in the chest, or chronic acid reflux.
Is Excessive Belching Related To Cancer?
Here is additional info to answer the question – is burping a sign of cancer? Belching or excessive belching, is linked to various benign issues, and is only linked to cancer when there are other symptoms. Belching or excessive belching is not a sole indicator of cancer. Issues that can cause excessive belching include the following:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease – Also known as GERD, this is a condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This causes belching and symptoms such as heartburn.
- Indigestion – Aso known as dyspepsia, this causes burping, bloating, and discomfort.
- Swallowing air – Also known as aerophagia, this is due to eating or drinking too quickly, or talking while eating.
Excessive belching is connected to cancer only when there are other tell-tale symptoms such as sudden weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting, full feeling, traces of blood in vomit or stool, difficulty swallowing, pain in chest pain, cough, hoarse voice.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Cancer?
To answer the question – is burping a sign of cancer? it is important to know more about the symptoms of cancer. These symptoms are known to vary widely, and depend on the nature and the location of cancer. Common symptoms include the following:
- Sudden weight loss – The loss of more than 5 kilograms of weight, without making any effort to lose weight could be an early sign of cancer. This is mostly experienced when there is cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lungs.
- State of tiredness – Tiredness that does not resolve or improve with rest and when it is unrelated to physical activity could be a sign of cancer. This is mostly seen in cancers like leukemia or colon cancer.
- Pain – When pain is persistent, and unexplained by other reasons is also a possible sign of cancer. For instance, headaches that do not resolve, or back pain could be a sign of bone or testicular cancer.
- Fever – When this is persistent, or intermittent, without known reasons, could be an indication of leukemia or lymphoma.
- Changes to the skin – Darkening of skin, yellow or reddish appearance of skin, abnormal hair growth or itching, new moles or skin spots are also indications of specific types of cancer.
- Bowel/bladder changes – When the person experiences chronic constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stool, or changes in stool consistency, this may point to colon cancer. Similarly, when there are changes in bladder function, like blood in urine or difficulty urinating, it could mean bladder or prostate cancer.
- Bleeding – When there is blood in the sputum, it could mean lung cancer. Similarly, blood in the stool or urine could point to colon, rectal, or bladder cancer. When there is abnormal vaginal bleeding, it could mean cervical or endometrial cancer.
- Formation of lumps – Any noticeable lump beneath the skin, especially in the breast, testicle, or lymph nodes, could point to cancer.
- Swallowing – When there is difficulty swallowing, along with persistent hoarseness, it could mean throat or esophageal cancer.
- Sores – When sores do not heal or recur frequently, especially in the mouth, skin, it could be an early indicator of cancer.
- Bruising – When there is abnormal bruising in unusual places, this could point to blood cancers like leukemia.
If A Person Is Diagnosed With Cancer, Is Excessive Chronic Burping A Cause For Worry?
To wrap, let us answer the question – is burping a sign of cancer – from the point of view of taking notice of these symptoms. When a person has been diagnosed with cancer, it important to take notice of excessive chronic burping. This is more so, when the burping is a new symptom or increases in frequency.
There could be various reasons for such burping. For instance, when there is gastrointestinal involvement, when the cancer has spread to the stomach, esophagus, or intestines. Treatments for cancer, like chemotherapy, radiation, or medications can also cause side effects that may increase burping. The pressure from a tumor that is pressing on the digestive system could also cause excessive belching or bloating. Advanced cancer is known to end up with metabolic, digestive changes that result in belching.
Specific circumstances can be considered as a cause for worry. Including symptoms that accompany the belching. When new or worsening symptoms are experienced, it is time to take action. For example, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, pain, or difficulty swallowing. Similarly, if the burping develops suddenly appears to worsen rapidly, without any other known cause, it is time to take action.
To sum up, excessive burping is by itself not a cause for concern. However, when viewed in the backdrop of a positive cancer diagnosis, patients and caregivers are to report and manage new or persistent symptoms, including belching.
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Shetty B s a cardiologist in Chennai, with extensive experience in the field. He completed his MBBS from Madurai Kamaraj University, followed by an MD in General Medicine and a DM in Cardiology from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (TNMGRMU).