Huong, who had no unusual symptoms, underlying health conditions, or family history of gastrointestinal cancer, underwent an endoscopy that revealed atrophic gastritis in her stomach lining. A small, 0.8 cm lesion was found on the lesser curvature of the stomach body, showing changes in surface structure and blood vessels. A biopsy confirmed mild chronic atrophic gastritis accompanied by early-stage diffuse-type adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells. These cells are known for their rapid growth and invasive nature. At this stage, the cancer was confined to the mucosal layer of the stomach wall, without invasion of blood vessels, nerves, or surrounding organs.

On 10/9, Dr. Do Minh Hung, Director of the Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at Tam Anh General Hospital in TP HCM, explained that early-stage diffuse-type adenocarcinoma is difficult to detect. This is because the cancer cells don't form a distinct tumor or lump, but instead spread and thicken the digestive tract wall.

Dr. Hung recommended endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to remove the entire lesion. He explained that ESD is only suitable for early-stage cancers or tumors under 2 cm, where cancerous cells are limited to the mucosal layer without lymph node involvement or metastasis. The procedure requires meticulous dissection to ensure complete removal of the lesion without perforating the digestive tract.

Dr. Minh Hung (right) performing a gastroscopy. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Dr. Minh Hung (right) performing a gastroscopy. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Under general anesthesia, a flexible endoscope was inserted through Huong's mouth to locate and mark the area around the lesion. The lesion was then carefully dissected and removed from beneath the mucosal layer. Huong experienced no pain after the procedure and was discharged just over an hour later. Because the cancer was confined to the mucosa and the margins were clear, no further treatment was required. Huong will continue with regular check-ups for monitoring.

Dr. Hung emphasized that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes for stomach cancer, increasing the 5-year survival rate to 90% or even achieving complete eradication. Unfortunately, early detection rates in Vietnam remain low, with most cases diagnosed at advanced stages when symptoms are apparent.

In later stages, treatment becomes more complex, involving gastrectomy, lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, with a reduced prognosis. Dr. Hung recommends regular health check-ups for early disease detection.

Quyen Phan

*The patient's name has been changed.