Accurate stomach cancer screening at Cua Dong General Hospital

Symptoms are unclear

Very healthy, eating normally, no weight loss, only symptoms of nausea after eating; patient BTT (27 years old, Cua Lo) registered for the examination service of Professor atCua Dong General Hospitalwas very surprised to be diagnosed with stomach cancer, with unclear symptoms.

Nasal endoscopy helps patients reduce discomfort and accurately diagnose stomach cancer. Photo: Cao Phuong

The patient was examined and had a nasal endoscopy using a small, flexible endoscope (diameter ~ 5.9mm) to observe the entire gastric antrum mucosa. Through the endoscopy, the doctor discovered a large ulcer, >3cm in size, deep base covered with pseudomembrane, invading the surrounding area, fibrosis, hardening and extensive ulceration, causing deformation of the stomach and pyloric orifice.

It is worth mentioning that in the case of patient BTT, if only based on the current health status, no one would have suspected that this patient was having such a dangerous problem in the digestive tract. Because stomach tumors often progress very quickly, there are almost no symptoms before. Therefore, periodic health check-ups every 6 months or 12 months in cases where the signs of the disease are not yet obvious or in people at high risk are highly recommended for health screening.

Early screening for effective treatment of stomach cancer

Stomach canceris one of the 5 most common cancers in Vietnam as well as in the world. In 2018, in Vietnam, there were more than 17 thousand new cases and more than 15 thousand deaths from this disease. Screening and preventive treatment bring positive results because stomach cancer, if detected at an early stage, can be successfully treated.

Stomach cancer is an extremely dangerous disease that many people suffer from. Photo: Cao Phuong

According to MSc. Resident Doctor Nguyen Thi Hoa - Head of Internal Medicine Department, Cua Dong General Hospital: “The digestive system plays a very important role in the body, in addition to the function of digestion and absorption of food, it is also a barrier that protects the body against bacteria and toxins. Because it takes on many responsibilities, almost all of us have at least once in our lives suffered from digestive symptoms, depending on the severity. Mild cases include constipation, indigestion, gastric reflux, belching, bloating... more severe cases include stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, enteritis, cancer...

The main screening measures for early detection of cancer are mainly based on the symptoms of each disease. The application of esophageal, gastric, colorectal endoscopy, testing, CT scan, biopsy... are measures to help detect early signs of digestive cancer.

The hospital invests in modern equipment to help screen for early gastrointestinal diseases. Photo: Cao Phuong

At Cua Dong General Hospital, gastric cancer screening is performed through gastric endoscopy with NBI (Narrow Banding Imaging) machine, which provides clearer images of mucosal pathology analysis than conventional endoscopy. Currently, the hospital is a pioneer in performing gastric endoscopy through the nose.

Thanks to the use of a small, soft endoscope (diameter ~ 5.9mm) passing through the nose, it causes less irritation to the uvula, palate, base of the tongue and reduces the gag reflex. Patients can talk to the doctor and observe the entire endoscopic image. This method has many outstanding advantages:

Safe:This method does not require anesthesia and causes few changes in blood pressure or heart rate.

High diagnostic efficiency: The patient's psychology is stable, the doctor can easily perform the procedure, limit the risk of unwanted complications and at the same time help observe the image in the stomach more clearly, helping to make an accurate diagnosis.

Effective treatment of digestive diseases, especially stomach and colon cancer, depends on early or late detection. Stomach cancer is a common disease that progresses quite quickly. About 2/3 of stomach cancer patients in Vietnam are detected at an advanced stage, having invaded and metastasized to the lymph nodes or distant metastasis.

Gastric cancer surgery using advanced endoscopic techniques at Cua Dong General Hospital. Photo: Cao Phuong