Diagnosed with stomach cancer, had black vomit. On palliative chemotherapy. Is this normal?
Patient: My brother has been diagnosed with stomach cancer (stage 4, metastasis) end of December last year and is currently undergoing his second cycle of palliative chemotherapy. He has been in near constant pain for the past 3 months and has yesterday started vomiting black vomit (for about 24 hrs). I've been told by some people that this is a sign that his death is imminent. Is this correct? Doctor: Hi and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your query. I am sorry about your brother and this serious diagnosis. Vomiting black vomit is a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding which can be more or less severe but in every case this isnt good sign. It can be bleeding which might be possible to treat with blood transfusions but not for long time.... Surgical or endoscopic treatment is probably impposible to perform. But hope for the best.Wish you good health.