Mr. Hieu's chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed an abnormal mass in the mediastinum, the region between the two lungs. This area houses vital organs: the heart, major blood vessels, and the thymus. Associate Professor Doctor Vu Huu Vinh, Director of the Thoracic - Vascular Surgery Center at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, noted that mediastinal tumors are not uncommon, but early detection is difficult as small or nascent tumors often lack symptoms. All mediastinal tumors, whether benign or malignant, carry risks.
Benign group B thymic tumors (B1, B2, B3) are invasive. Without timely intervention, tumor growth can compress the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, causing respiratory failure and circulatory disorders. Malignant thymic tumors, like lymphoma or thymoma, can metastasize quickly. Invasion of the spinal cord causes compression; heart invasion can be fatal.
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Associate Professor Vinh (second from right) and his surgical team operating on Mr. Hieu. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*.
Doctors consulted and opted for robotic tumor removal for Mr. Hieu. Unlike traditional open surgery, the robot offers surgeons magnified 3D views of the surgical field. Its arms rotate 540 degrees, allowing precise access and dissection in deep, narrow mediastinal areas. This minimizes damage to healthy tissue and lessens postoperative pain.
Two days post-surgery, Mr. Hieu walked unassisted, his health stable, and he was discharged. Associate Professor Vinh credited the surgery's success to early tumor detection, when it was small and non-invasive.
Two-thirds of mediastinal tumors are benign. Early screening allows detection and intervention, stopping tumor growth from harming adjacent organs. Screening methods like CT scans, MRI, chest X-rays, endoscopy, and biopsy can identify tumors early, even before patients exhibit clear symptoms.
Thoracic conditions, including mediastinal tumors and lung cancer, often present with vague symptoms or are mistaken for common illnesses. Doctor Le Tan Dat, Deputy Director of the Oncology Center at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, noted that lung cancer screening aids early, asymptomatic detection, increasing successful treatment outcomes. Older individuals and those with underlying conditions should have regular health check-ups.
Bao Anh
*Patient's name has been changed.
| At 20:00 on 25/12, Tam Anh General Hospital will host an online consultation titled "Lung Cancer, Mediastinal Tumors: Modern Technology for Screening, Treatment, and Surgery with the Da Vinci Xi Robot, a Leading System in Southeast Asia". The event will be broadcast on the VnExpress fanpage and the hospital's fanpage. Associate Professor Doctor Vu Huu Vinh, Director of the Thoracic - Vascular Surgery Center; Doctor Le Tan Dat, Deputy Director of the Oncology Center; and Doctor Nguyen Anh Dung, Head of the Thoracic - Vascular Surgery Department, will answer questions during the program. Readers can submit questions here. |
