This insight was shared by Professor Dao Van Long during the 10th Gastroenterology Scientific Conference, co-organized by Bach Mai Hospital and the Nagoya Asia Association for the Advancement of Digestive Medicine, recently held in Hanoi.

Professor Long noted that while gastric ulcers used to be the most common digestive condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has now taken the lead. GERD is especially prevalent among people aged 30–50 and currently affects more than 7 million Vietnamese. If left untreated, GERD can lead to serious complications, the most dangerous of which is esophageal cancer.

Under normal circumstances, gastric acid and food are contained within the stomach by the upper and lower esophageal sphincters. However, genetic factors, increased abdominal pressure, food retention, alcohol, carbonated drinks, smoking, and high-fat diets can weaken these muscles, allowing acid to flow back into the esophagus.

A modern lifestyle - especially one that involves staying up late and sleeping during the day - disrupts circadian rhythms, increases pressure on the digestive tract, and accelerates conditions like GERD and ulcers. Patients often report a burning sensation and pain behind the breastbone, making treatment prolonged and difficult.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Cong Long, Director of the Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Center at Bach Mai Hospital, added that digestive and pancreatic-biliary diseases are becoming increasingly common. Most patients, however, are diagnosed late, which worsens prognosis, especially for chronic and malignant conditions.

Thanks to advances in endoscopy, even early-stage digestive cancers can now be detected in time.

Bach Mai Hospital has adopted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) - a pioneering technique from Japan - to treat early-stage gastrointestinal cancers. Precancerous lesions, commonly found as colorectal polyps, can be completely removed with ESD, eliminating the need for open surgery.

According to Dr. Long, modern endoscopy systems enable doctors to accurately assess whether a lesion is benign or malignant, and whether it has invaded the mucosal layer, which determines whether ESD is appropriate.

If detected early, the patient only needs a colonoscopy to remove the cancerous mucosal area. This minimally invasive procedure allows for thorough treatment without extended recovery time.

Dr. Long also noted that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is being increasingly used to provide patients with better diagnostic and treatment options. This method is particularly effective in detecting deep-seated abdominal tumors with minimal invasion.

However, in Vietnam, the number of medical centers equipped with EUS technology and trained doctors remains limited. Through this conference, healthcare professionals shared updates and experiences in interventional endoscopic ultrasound techniques for digestive and biliary-pancreatic diseases - offering invaluable knowledge for improving patient outcomes.

Phuong Thuy