Successful Stomach Cancer Surgery for Myanmar Patient at Shanghai East Hospital

A 73-year-old woman from Myanmar, who had stomach cancer surgery at Shanghai East Hospital a month ago, has demonstrated significant recovery, as confirmed by doctors during her recent follow-up appointment. According to Han Junyi, the head of the gastrointestinal surgery department, if her recovery continues positively, she will begin chemotherapy within the next two to four weeks.

The patient's son, Aung Kyaw Htwe, expressed satisfaction with their choice to have her treated in Shanghai, stating that after exploring various options, they believed that the city offered some of the best medical care available in China. The family had initially been distressed by the patient’s diagnosis in Myanmar, where she struggled with recurring abdominal pain. With connections to China through her son-in-law and the experiences of others they knew who received treatment there, they decided on Shanghai as the best option for her care.

Upon arriving in Shanghai in early June, the family learned that her cancer had progressed significantly, with the tumor severely invading nearby tissues. Although standard guidelines usually recommend chemotherapy before surgery for advanced cases, they opted for immediate surgical intervention, considering the logistics of traveling for treatment.

The surgery was complex and lasted over four hours, involving a total gastrectomy, along with resection of the pancreatic tail, partial colectomy, and splenectomy. Remarkably, the patient was able to leave the hospital just over a week post-surgery, indicating a rapid and encouraging recovery.

Dr. Han emphasized that Shanghai's hospitals are equipped with advanced medical resources and highly skilled surgical teams, making complicated procedures more routine. He noted that Shanghai's medical outcomes for gastric cancer are comparable to those in Japan and the United States for intestinal cancer treatments. Furthermore, he advocated for extending visa durations for international patients, who might need extended medical care in China, in order to enhance treatment continuity and recovery success. Initially holding a one-month visa, the patient's stay was successfully extended by three months following the complexities of her surgical procedure.

Located in Shanghai's financial district of Lujiazui, Shanghai East Hospital has a rich history of serving international patients. Dr. Han mentioned that his team has performed surgeries for individuals from various nations, including Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany.