Yen, a 61-year-old woman, recently underwent a general health checkup that revealed she had bladder cancer. The doctors decided to remove her bladder and small intestine in order to create a new urine bag. Her bladder had multiple tumors of varying sizes and shapes, resembling cauliflower.
On May 4, Dr. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Deputy Department of Urology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, performed an endoscopic tumor resection to biopsy the tumors. The cancer was found to be in a localized stage and had not metastasized to other organs. The recommended treatment was to remove the entire bladder, perform pelvic lymph node removal, and reconstruct a new urinary tract using a portion of Yen’s small intestine.
The surgery was complicated due to previous surgeries and adhesions in the abdomen, requiring an open surgery rather than laparoscopic surgery. Post-surgery, Yen had to fast and gradually transition back to eating solid foods.
Bladder cancer is a common diagnosis at Tam Anh General Hospital, with an average of 3-4 cases per month. Early detection and treatment are key to improving outcomes, with endoscopic resection being effective in many cases. Regular monitoring is needed post-surgery to prevent recurrence.
Dr. Cuong emphasized the importance of early detection of bladder cancer as late-stage diagnosis can lead to poor prognosis and limited treatment options. He urged people with symptoms like hematuria (blood in urine) to seek medical attention promptly. Regular health checkups, healthy lifestyle choices, and avoiding risky behaviors like smoking can help prevent bladder cancer.
In conclusion, Yen’s experience highlights the challenges and complexities of treating bladder cancer early detection
