Certain types of cancer can cause weight gain. Ovarian and colorectal cancer, for example, may cause fluid buildup in the legs or abdomen. This type of edema is called ascites.
I'd say that breast cancer patients are the majority of patients who come to us for help with weight gain. Weight gain is also extremely common among patients with prostate cancer, as well as lymphoma, multiple myeloma and chronic leukemia.
People with certain kinds of cancer might have swelling in the abdomen (belly) that causes weight gain. Or, sometimes you gain weight because certain anti-cancer drugs cause your body to hold on to extra fluid.
You can have ovarian cancer but have few or no symptoms in the early stages. One of the warning signs that you may overlook is weight gain. The extra pounds are both a risk factor for getting ovarian cancer as well as a side effect from the disease or its treatments.
Weight gain and fluctuations in weight can happen for a variety of reasons. Many people progressively gain weight as they age or make changes to their lifestyle. However, fast weight gain can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a problem with the thyroid, kidneys, or heart.
Factors like age, decreased activity levels, loss of muscle mass, a slower metabolism, and even your menstrual cycle can all cause you to gain a few extra pounds. So unexplained weight gain isn't always something to worry about, especially if you can pinpoint the reason after thinking about it for a few minutes.
For instance, the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are abdominal swelling and bloating, which can develop as an ovarian tumor grows and takes up more space within a woman's abdominal cavity. Some people may attribute these symptoms to general weight gain.
Several studies reported that weight gain after diagnosis is common among CRC patients [1–3, 10, 11]. All these studies showed that weight gain after diagnosis was more common than weight loss after diagnosis [1–3, 10, 11].
Bloating can also be a sign of other cancers, like breast, pancreatic, colon, and stomach cancer if cancer appears along the lining of the abdominal cavity, said Dr. Cobb.
Cancer can sometimes cause swelling of the tummy (abdomen) due to a build up of fluid. The medical name for a build up of fluid in the abdomen is ascites (pronounced ay-site-eez). A swollen tummy can be very uncomfortable but a doctor can drain the fluid to make you more comfortable.
Some causes may be related to stress, alcohol consumption, or medications. Other causes can be a result of health conditions like hypothyroidism or PCOS. Many causes of stomach swelling and weight gain can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications. However, others, such as ascites, can be serious.
The pituitary gland makes hormones that are important for your body to function. A tumour in this area of the brain can cause: weight gain.
Iron-deficient people experience low energy levels and sudden weight gain because of an underactive thyroid gland.
Dubbed the “silent killer” because it's vague symptoms make early detection difficult, ovarian cancer has been a target for research and expanding treatment options.
Ultrasound is often the first test done if a problem with the ovaries is suspected. It can be used to find an ovarian tumor and to check if it is a solid mass (tumor) or a fluid-filled cyst. It can also be used to get a better look at the ovary to see how big it is and how it looks inside.
Rapid and unexpected weight gain is also a possible sign of liver cancer. This usually occurs due to the rapid build-up of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).
Your stomach may feel and look puffy, swollen and often quite hard. If you feel like you need to pass wind or go to the toilet more often; or perhaps like you've eaten something that doesn't agree with you – which may actually be the case – a change in diet may help reduce bloating.
There are some medical conditions that can drive weight gain and make it much harder to lose weight. These include hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and sleep apnea. Certain medications can also make weight loss harder — or even cause weight gain.
Symptoms of stomach cancer
trapped wind and frequent burping. heartburn. feeling full very quickly when eating. feeling bloated after eating.