Detecting malignant tumors from symptoms of indigestion.

A 77-year-old male patient presented with bloating and indigestion. An endoscopy revealed a small tumor beneath the gastric mucosa, which was removed early to eradicate the cancer.

The patient's gastroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results showed a submucosal tumor in the antral body, located posteriorly, with a diameter of 1.5 x 2 cm.

A 2cm tumor is indicated for endoscopic resection, especially if it is at risk of malignancy, to prevent complications such as acute gastrointestinal bleeding causing black stools and vomiting blood. Chronic bleeding can easily lead to anemia.

Gastrointestinal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Vietnam.

The patient had a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis and duodenitis, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. After consultation, the doctor prescribed endoscopic subserosal dissection (ESSD) surgery.

Small submucosal tumors under 2 cm are usually monitored, but this technique can remove the tumor early, eradicating the risk of malignancy.

The ESSD mucosal resection method is applied to submucosal gastric tumors such as myomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors that are not too large and have not invaded beyond the gastric serosa and adjacent organs. This method is minimally invasive, preserves the digestive tract, and results in good patient recovery and less pain.

The doctor performed an endoscopy, separating the stomach wall layer by layer, removing the entire tumor down to the outermost layer of the stomach wall to completely eradicate the cancer while preserving the stomach. The subsequent pathology results showed it to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

According to doctors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare type of mesenchymal tumor, accounting for 0.1-3% of all malignant tumors in the digestive tract. They are difficult to diagnose and are often discovered incidentally during endoscopy.

According to Dr. Do Minh Hung, Director of the Center for Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery of the Digestive System at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are often associated with mutations in the KIT gene. This gene stimulates cells to produce a protein called KIT CD117, accelerating growth and uncontrolled division.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can occur at any age, but are most common in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Besides regular health checkups and endoscopies, patients with suspicious symptoms such as vomiting blood, black stools, fatigue, dizziness, etc., should seek medical attention early for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Gastrointestinal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Vietnam. Early detection and diagnosis, along with timely treatment, can significantly extend the lifespan and improve the chances of recovery for many patients.

The most common gastrointestinal cancers today are colon cancer, stomach cancer, and esophageal cancer. In many developed countries, including Japan, early cancer screening and detection significantly improve patients' chances of survival.

In the early stages, patients only need endoscopic submucosal dissection, which is highly effective and allows for rapid recovery. Conversely, patients diagnosed late often require major surgery (laparoscopic or open surgery), making treatment more complex.

Endoscopic screening for early detection of gastrointestinal cancers is currently the most effective and almost certain method. Early detection screening for gastrointestinal cancers should be performed on healthy individuals over the age of 50. This group is at higher risk of developing lesions in the digestive tract.

Additionally, heavy smokers and heavy drinkers should get screened because they have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.

People with a family history of stomach or colon cancer, such as parents, should also have annual checkups to detect precancerous lesions.

In addition, the group of individuals diagnosed with gastritis or severe gastric mucosal atrophy also needs to be categorized for annual screening to determine how often they should be re-screened with esophagogastroscopy or colonoscopy.

Young, healthy people who don't have any particular symptoms don't need to rush to get screened for gastrointestinal cancer.

People are advised to pay attention to unusual symptoms in the digestive tract, including the upper digestive tract which comprises the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, bile ducts, and small intestine.

Disorders and symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, abdominal pain, persistent dry heaving and vomiting blood, accompanied by fatigue, weight loss...

The lower digestive tract includes the large intestine, rectum, and anus. Disorders and conditions such as prolonged constipation or diarrhea, bloody stools, etc., should be examined by a doctor for timely advice and treatment.

For patients with early-stage stomach and esophageal cancer, doctors have performed endoscopic resection of the stomach and esophagus, eliminating the need for gastrectomy or esophagectomy (removal of the entire stomach or esophagus).

Source: https://baodautu.vn/phat-hien-u-ac-tinh-tu-dau-hieu-kho-tieu-d219942.html