Saving a man with invasive pancreatic cancer causing biliary obstruction

Taking his medical history, Mr. S. said he had been examined at several hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City with the diagnosis of pancreatic head cancer, invasion, biliary obstruction, and abdominal metastasis. His physical condition was deteriorating, symptoms of jaundice and itching all over his body were getting worse, and he even said that when he went to the toilet, he saw white stools like "stork droppings".

On May 22, Associate Professor - Doctor - Doctor Bui Chi Viet, Deputy Director of the Xuyen A Hospital system (HCMC), said that after reviewing all clinical tests and paraclinical indications, an interdisciplinary consultation (including the departments of Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging, and Interventional Endoscopy) was carried out.

From the consultation, the doctors determined that this was a case of late-stage pancreatic head cancer, causing compression of the common bile duct leading to increasing jaundice and conjunctivitis. Based on the paraclinical results, it was found that the gallbladder was distended and could rupture at any time, threatening the patient's life. The question now was which drainage method was the most effective, fastest, and least invasive.

The doctors proposed three options. One was to place a retrograde biliary stent, two was to connect the biliary tract to the digestive tract, and three was to open the gallbladder to the skin, in order of decreasing optimality.

Before performing the surgery, the team of doctors consulted the patient and his family about the above treatment options, and the family agreed to perform the surgery.

The team of doctors during the intervention for the patient

Dr. Viet decided to perform a gastroscopy to investigate and hoped to find a way to access the bile duct using ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography). Fortunately, the patient was successfully placed a bile duct stent by the team of doctors.

"After the procedure, the patient can now live normally, is mentally happy, and eats better. It is expected that in about 7-10 days, the patient can be discharged from the hospital, with a follow-up appointment after 3 weeks. We will continue to monitor and have a treatment plan for the patient, improving the patient's quality of life," said the doctor.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuu-nguoi-dan-ong-bi-ung-thu-tuy-xam-lan-gay-ton-thuong-tac-mat-18524052211210106.htm