EXPERT LEVEL ONCOSURGERY DAILY PRACTICE AT NMRRC

The story of Alexander’s treatment began 9 years ago, when a 35-year-old man was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. He immediately decided to contact the A.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre, – branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and came to Obninsk for help.

Here he received complex treatment for this cancer: chemoradiotherapy, laparoscopic surgery on the rectum, and then several courses of drug treatment.

Thanks to a combined approach, doctors managed to cope even with stage 3 of the disease. Alexander underwent follow-up examinations for many years, the results of which gave no cause for concern. Nine years later, the man began to experience pain in the abdomen and, after performing an ultrasound at his place of residence, he learned that he had cancer again. He was diagnosed with a tumor in the head of the pancreas.

“The pancreas is responsible for secreting enzymes and many hormones which are necessary for digestion,” explained Leonid Petrov, head of the abdominal department of the A.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre. — In 60% of cases, the neoplasm is localized in the head of the pancreas. Unfortunately, most often it is detected in the later stages of the disease and is characterized by an aggressive course. However, surgical treatment significantly improves survival rates.”

Alexander was given several courses of chemotherapy in order to stabilize the tumor and suppress its growth. Then the long complex surgical intervention was performed again.

“Operations performed when a tumor is localized in the pancreas are the most difficult in abdominal oncology. Features are associated with work on critically important large vascular structures, the diversity of their anatomy, and the technically complex reconstructive stage. The postoperative period requires coordinated work of a team of specialists and nurses,” says Pavel Sokolov, abdominal surgeon, head of the operating unit of the A.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre.

Today our patient is already preparing for discharge: his beloved wife and daughter came to support him: “I really want to return home to my life,” says Alexander. “I feel cheerful and ready to continue drug treatment in Belgorod, at my place of residence. During this time I got used to it, especially considering that I had already undergone treatment here many years ago. I wish other patients never to despair and to trust those who are so eager to help us!”