Is Weight Loss Along With Gastritis And Abdominal Pain A Sign Of Cancer?

Posted on Thu, 1 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 Feb 2018 Answered on

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : Male 28 years. having on and off dull abdominal pain for last 6-7 months along with heartburns. Did Endoscopy and came up with gastritis and H.Pylori. Was given H.Pylori kit treatment. Done with CT scan abdomen and Pelvis which come normal. my main concern is I'm losing weight unintentionally (though there was stress and depression too). lost 2.5 to 3 kgs .4 months back I was at 89 something and now at 86.5. Though my appetite is not decreased. But and it is now adding more stress and apprehension about my Health that whether something really wrong going on with my Health as I'm losing weight now. Something related to Cancer ?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
IBS

Detailed Answer:
Hi

You seem to be suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome. However,since you have significant weight loss, you should get a Hemoglobin , Anti TTG antibody test done, if normal you need treatment of IBS.

I would advise following in such scenario:
1. To take a proton pump inhibitor like Pantoprazole and Rabeprazole.
2. To avoid fat, pepper in the diet.
4. To take Smooth Muscle Relaxant like Mebeverine for stomach pain.
5. Drugs like chlordiazepoxide and clidinium bromide can be used, if pain is not responding.
6. In your particular case scenario, i would recommend an antidepressant like Escitalopram.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 days later)

I did all the tests you told me to get done.

My Haemoglobin comes as 14.6 and TTG IgA comes negative ( 6.22).
So What should be the way forward as after these tests I'm assuming that something not really bad happening inside me.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
IBS

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

With all investigations normal I would say you suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome.You should start treatment as discussed and let me know response in 3 weeks. Important is to calm down and stop getting worried.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (22 minutes later)

thank you doctor. That's reassuring. I would take as advised by you. But I have lost weight like 3 kgs with all reports normal, then what can be the possible causes. I tried searching about it on the internet unfortunately and all I come up with Cancer and it got me really really scared.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ibs

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

IBS itself causes weight loss and that you have been suffering from.Now important here is that if you have low Hemoglobin and blood positive in Stool we would think of cancer.
In current scenario, it don't find any reason to worry.

Take Care!

Regards,
Dr. Anshul Varshney,
Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D