Successful Three-Stage Laparoscopic Surgery to Reconstruct Esophagus and Combat Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer

A 74-year-old man named Mr. Thai recently underwent a complex three-stage laparoscopic surgery to remove malignant tumors and reconstruct his esophagus with a gastric tube. The surgery was performed at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City by Dr. Do Minh Hung, Director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Surgery.

The patient had been experiencing symptoms of choking and hiccups for over three months with an unknown cause before being diagnosed with stage three esophageal cancer. The surgical team decided to perform the operation in three stages due to the location of the tumor near important organs such as the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels.

During the chest phase, the esophagus and lymph nodes were removed. In the abdomen phase, the esophagus was reshaped with a stomach tube, and the jejunum was opened for feeding. The final stage involved neck surgery to connect the stomach tube to the newly formed esophagus.

After an 8-hour surgery, Mr. Thai recovered well and is expected to be discharged from the hospital after 8 days. Pathological results revealed squamous carcinoma invading the muscle layer, which means that he will continue treatment with oncologists.

Dr. Hung emphasized that early detection is crucial when it comes to treating esophageal cancer effectively. He encouraged people to live a healthy lifestyle by avoiding risk factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption and getting regular health check-ups for early cancer detection. Detecting cancer early can significantly improve treatment effectiveness and increase chances of successful treatment.

Esophageal cancer is often detected late due to its non-specific symptoms that may mimic other conditions such as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Therefore, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly if you experience any unusual symptoms or if you have a family history of this disease.

Overall, Mr. Thai’s case highlights how complex surgeries can be when dealing with malignant tumors near important organs like heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. However, with advancements in medical technology and skilled surgeons like Dr. Hung leading these operations, patients like Mr. Thai can have hope for successful recovery after undergoing such surgeries.

In conclusion, early detection through regular health check-ups is crucial when it comes to treating esophageal cancer effectively