Abdominal Pain Ignored for 10 Years, Tumor Grows to 5cm! This Cancer is Usually Diagnosed at Mid-to-Late Stage

Mr. Lin (alias), nearly 80 years old, has just ended a “minor ailment ordeal” that lasted over a decade. For years, he dismissed it as a trivial pain requiring no attention, only to discover upon examination that the “disease” was actually a large tumor……

I. “Minor Ailment” Ignored, Examination Reveals Tumor Reaches 5cm

Over a decade ago, Mr. Lin began experiencing intermittent abdominal distension and pain. Initially, these discomforts were mild and would resolve on their own after occasional episodes, so they did not raise concern for him or his family. However, as time passed, the condition gradually worsened. In the past two months, the frequency and severity of the abdominal distension and pain reached a point he could no longer endure.

Recently, accompanied by his family, Mr. Lin visited the Geriatrics Department at HeYou Hospital. Upon admission, a gastroenteroscopy unveiled the true nature of the disease——a mass approximately 5cm in diameter was found in the cecum. Consequently, the Geriatrics Department consulted Professor Wang Shaowen from the General Surgery Department.

Abdominal mass within the red circle, approximately 5cm in size

Professor Wang analyzed the condition and pointed out: Mr. Lin is an elderly patient with a clear diagnosis of a cecal tumor. The mass has already caused significant symptoms such as abdominal pain and distension. Current examinations show no obvious contraindications for surgery, and given the specific location of the tumor, surgical treatment is the preferred option.

II. High Risk Due to Advanced Age and Comorbidities, Advanced Surgery Tackles High Difficulty

Based on the patient’s current examination results, considering the tumor stage, and Mr. Lin’s advanced age with multiple geriatric conditions such as hypertension and urinary tract stones, Professor Wang Shaowen decided to adopt an advanced surgical approach that minimizes trauma and reduces operative time, while balancing the need for complete tumor resection with the patient’s tolerance and safety.

This is a reduced-port cecal resection surgery. Compared to the traditional 5-port resection, this procedure involved only 3 small incisions.

Only 3 incisions were made, ensuring faster recovery

Reducing the number of incisions significantly increases the difficulty of the surgical procedure. The surgeon must perform each step with greater precision and meticulousness within a limited operating space, demanding exceptional control of surgical instruments and visualization of the operative field. At the same time, smaller incisions can alleviate patient pain and accelerate postoperative recovery. Behind this seemingly simple numerical change lies the superb medical skill and compassionate care of Professor Wang and his team.

During the surgery, under the clear visualization provided by the laparoscope, Professor Wang led his surgical team to gradually dissect and resect the cecal mass with precise and flawless maneuvers. After several hours of arduous effort, the surgery was successfully completed.

III. Fewer Incisions, Faster Recovery, “Doesn’t Feel Like a Major Surgery”

As expected, on the first day after surgery, the elderly patient was able to get out of bed and move around with assistance. This seemingly simple step was a significant victory for the man who had just undergone surgery. It not only marked the rapid recovery of his physical functions but also demonstrated the notable advantages of reduced-port surgery in minimizing postoperative trauma.

Director Wang Shaowen (left) during ward rounds (archive image)

On the second day after surgery, Mr. Lin’s gastrointestinal function began to gradually recover, allowing him to consume a liquid diet. This filled him and his family with confidence in his recovery. A long-lost smile appeared on Mr. Lin’s face: “The surgical wound hardly hurts at all, far less painful than the episodes I experienced. I don’t feel like a patient who has just undergone a major operation.” These simple words are the highest praise for Professor Wang and his team’s medical expertise. One week later, Mr. Lin resumed a normal diet and daily activities and was successfully discharged.

Fortunately, the patient underwent timely surgery. Postoperative pathology of the resected tumor revealed a villous-tubular adenoma (high-grade) of the ileocecal region and a neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix (NET G1/carcinoid). Both are early-stage tumors, and no further chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required after surgery.

IV. Colorectal Cancer is Insidious, Often Diagnosed at Mid-to-Late Stage

Cecal cancer is a type of colorectal cancer. Since 2016, colorectal cancer has become the second most common malignant tumor in terms of new cases in China, and its incidence continues to rise.

In 2020, 19 general and specialized hospitals, including Peking University Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, collected data from 2,299 colorectal cancer patients in the first half of 2020. The results showed that at the time of initial diagnosis, 83% of colorectal cancer patients were already at a mid-to-late stage, and 44% had developed metastases to the liver, lungs, or other sites.

Gastroenteroscopy is the preferred method for detecting gastrointestinal tumors. Early-stage intestinal tumors have a good treatment outcome, do not require systemic chemotherapy after surgery, and offer a high quality of life. Furthermore, it is important to remind everyone not to “lose confidence in treatment” due to advanced age. With appropriate surgical methods, elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors can still tolerate surgery and return to a normal life afterward.

Author of this article>>> Dr. Rao Zhen, General Surgery Department

Professional Guidance>>> Professor Wang Shaowen, Chief Physician, General Surgery Department

(As individual patient conditions vary, treatment outcomes may differ. Please consult a professional physician for specific advice.)