Hi,
Try to find out what specific tests were performed. Does the statement that no cancer showed up mean that a
biopsy was done on the ulcers? Or were the doctors looking for disease outside the stomach – looking into the
pancreas if it was suspect on the PET. Was there a CT that was also done? Does he have no symptoms at all
anywhere else but pain in the stomach?
Cancers in the advanced setting may induce weight loss, but in most cases there would be a suspect area where
a biopsy can be performed. In this case, the weight loss may be explained by problems in the stomach or
anywhere along the gastro intestinal tract. There are chronic infections like tuberculosis that can also make
patients lose weight. Does he have diarrhea? is there a reason to suspect malabsorption? An analysis of stool
may yield important results. Also, an investigation through scopes may provide some clue (unfortunately this
is quite invasive).
The medications are only addressing the pain, I don’t think you can expect the weight loss to stop, if these
are the only measures available.
Discuss the direction of the diagnostics with your doctors. Testing may be occur by shotgun approach, in which
not all the tests would actually help decide what to do next but if the goal is to get answers quickly, this
may be the way to go. Another approach is to do cascades of tests in sequence, whichever the approach, at some
point some people may refuse to go on further – it would be best to come up with an acceptable plan.
