A Sore Throat Checkup Revealed End-Stage Sto.mach Can.cer: An Angry Man Threw Two “Culprits” From His Kitchen Into the Street

Always believing his sore throat was caused by talking too much and the cold weather, Mr. Tran (China) was deeply shocked to learn that it was actually a sign of end-stage stomach cancer.

Mr. Tran, 63, lives in Taichung, Taiwan (China). A retired teacher, he had long assumed that the discomfort in his throat was related to the nature of his profession, which required a lot of speaking. Over the past month, the pain became more severe, but he still thought it was due to colder weather. It was only when he began to have difficulty even drinking water and lost significant weight because he could not eat properly that he finally went to see a doctor.

According to Yu Zhengzhan, Deputy Director of Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital (Taiwan, China) and a surgeon, Mr. Tran initially visited the Ear, Nose and Throat Department. However, doctors noticed abnormalities and referred him to the Gastroenterology Department. There, the difficulty swallowing—which he had thought was merely a sore throat caused by work and weather—was diagnosed as a symptom of stage IV (end-stage) stomach cancer, meaning the cancer had spread extensively and the prognosis was very poor.

After receiving the diagnosis, Mr. Tran was devastated. At first, he refused to believe it, suspecting a misdiagnosis. Only after Dr. Yu Zhengzhan personally explained the condition did he break down in tears, accept the reality, and immediately return home to do something no one expected: he threw away all the salt and jars of pickled vegetables in his kitchen, tossing them out onto the street. It turned out these were the two main culprits behind his serious illness.

Why Do Excessive Salt and Pickled Vegetables Increase the Risk of Stomach Cancer?

According to Dr. Yu Zhengzhan, a high-salt diet is a major cause of stomach cancer. Family members also said that Mr. Tran had a very strong preference for salty food, to the point that he kept a jar of salt on the table at every meal and added extra salt to his own bowl.

“The World Health Organization recommends that adults consume less than 5 grams of salt per day. Excess salt damages the stomach lining, causes chronic inflammation and ulcers, and increases the risk of cancer. Salt stimulates the production of free radicals, promoting cellular mutations. In addition, a high-salt environment facilitates the growth of Helicobacter pylori, further increasing cancer risk. Salty eating habits also promote the formation of nitrosamines—powerful carcinogens.”

The patient was also very fond of pickled vegetables, especially lightly pickled ones. Consuming large amounts of pickled vegetables—particularly lightly fermented pickles—raises the risk of stomach cancer due to their nitrosamine content. Incomplete fermentation leaves high levels of nitrites, which can combine with amines in the stomach to form nitrosamines. The highly acidic environment created by pickled foods irritates the stomach lining, causing chronic inflammation and cellular damage. In addition, lightly pickled vegetables may contain harmful bacteria and molds, increasing cancer risk. Frequent consumption can also disrupt the gut microbiome and weaken the stomach’s defenses, Dr. Yu explained.

Be Alert to Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Regarding Mr. Tran’s difficulty swallowing, Dr. Yu said: “In advanced stomach cancer, difficulty swallowing occurs because the tumor grows large and compresses or narrows the esophagus and the gastric cardia. This obstruction prevents food from passing into the stomach, making swallowing painful and difficult. Moreover, cancer-related inflammation and ulceration of the mucosa intensify the burning pain during eating. Impaired gastric motility also contributes to this symptom.”

In addition to difficulty swallowing, Dr. Yu warned of other symptoms of stomach cancer that should not be ignored:

• Upper abdominal pain: Dull, burning, or heavy discomfort in the upper abdomen.

• Nausea and vomiting: Especially after eating; vomiting blood may occur in advanced cases.

• Unexplained weight loss: Due to loss of appetite and poor nutrient absorption.

• Bloating, abdominal distension, early satiety: Feeling uncomfortable even after eating small amounts.

• Black stools or blood in the stool: A sign of gastrointestinal bleeding from stomach lining damage.

• Anemia and prolonged fatigue: Caused by chronic bleeding or reduced nutrient absorption.

• Bad breath and persistent acid reflux: Related to gastric reflux and food retention in the stomach.

Early detection is the key to improving treatment outcomes. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.