General Surgery in Lagos
Stomach Cancer
The signs, what causes it, and treatment in Lagos from ₦350,000, with the full price shown before you book or pay.
Signs to look for
Stomach Cancer
- Indigestion or upper tummy pain that keeps coming back
- Feeling full after a small meal, and loss of appetite
- Losing weight without trying
- Vomiting, sometimes with blood or material like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry stools
Published Mezo prices. Each links to what the price covers.
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, starts in the lining of the stomach. Long-standing infection with H. pylori bacteria, smoking, a diet high in salted and smoked food, and a family history all raise the risk. Early on it causes few symptoms, or symptoms like ordinary indigestion, so in Nigeria it is often treated as ulcer for months with antacids before anyone looks. An endoscopy with a biopsy is the only way to know. Found early, it can be cured with surgery.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Indigestion or upper tummy pain that keeps coming back
- Feeling full after a small meal, and loss of appetite
- Losing weight without trying
- Vomiting, sometimes with blood or material like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry stools
- Tiredness and breathlessness from anaemia
- Difficulty swallowing
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor promptly, for an endoscopy rather than more antacids, if you have new indigestion from about forty-five, or indigestion with weight loss, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, anaemia or a family history of stomach cancer. Go to an emergency department for vomiting blood or coffee-ground material, black tarry stools, fainting, or sudden severe tummy pain.
Treatment options
- Gastroscopy with biopsy of anything abnormal
- Testing and treatment for H. pylori
- CT scan to see whether the cancer has spread
- Removal of very early cancers through the endoscope, in specialist centres
- Gastrectomy, removing part or all of the stomach with the nearby glands
- Chemotherapy before and after surgery
- Treatment to relieve blockage, bleeding and pain when cure is not possible
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
I have had ulcer for years. Should I worry?
Most long-standing indigestion is not cancer. But indigestion that is new from middle age, or comes with weight loss, vomiting, anaemia or black stools, should be checked with an endoscopy.
Can stomach cancer be cured?
Often, when it is found early and removed completely. That is why warning signs should lead to an endoscopy, not years of antacids.
Does H. pylori always cause cancer?
No. Most people with H. pylori never get stomach cancer, but long-term infection raises the risk, so it is worth testing and treating when there are symptoms.
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General Surgery in Lagos →General Surgery in Abuja →General Surgery in Port Harcourt →General Surgery in Jos →General Surgery in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Stomach cancer. NHS. Patient information.
- Oesophago-gastric cancer: assessment and management in adults (NG83). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.