The Thoracic Oncology Clinic at the American Hospital Dubai is a multidisciplinary Clinic for patients with lung, esophageal, mediastinal, chest wall tumors, and benign thoracic conditions. This comprehensive Clinic provides a wide array of clinical services for lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. The program consists of a highly distinguished and experienced nationally recognized cancer consultants trained in preoperative assessment and diagnosis of thoracic tumors. Our medical oncology, radiation oncology, chest radiology, pathology, and pulmonary medicine is available to provide imperative treatments to cure patients.
The most common malignant tumor worldwide, early detection and recognition of symptoms is key to achieving successful treatment. Implementing advanced screening at an early stage can prevent and cure patients. A low dose of CT scanning or X-ray is making this now possible. What are the symptoms of lung cancer / how do you know you are at risk? Some population sectors at a much higher risk than most. These are the smokers, passive smokers, people with exposure to carcinogenic (random gas, asbestos & talc dust, as well as family history, may put you at risk. Symptoms: Treatment protocols: A team from the Thoracic Oncology Program at the American hospital Dubai consisting of qualified radiologists, Oncologists, as well as surgeons work together to best support your treatments needs according to your stage. It is imperative that all patients receiving treatment to stop smoking specially those who have been recognized for surgery. Prior to surgery patients will undergo blood work, an EKG and breathing tests to determine if surgery can be performed safely. Patients who will continue to smoke are at a higher risk of developing pneumonia and other potentially serious complications.
The Esophageal is the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach in order to pass the food for digestion. It is in front of the spine sitting behind the trachea, or windpipe. Therefore, portions of the esophagus are located in the neck, chest and abdomen. All esophagus changes are diagnosed by endoscopy which is a procedure used to examine the lining of the esophagus with a telescope. What are the Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer? Diagnosis tools First the physician will take the complete medical history for the patient. Secondly several diagnostic tools are applied in order to properly diagnose the patient Treatment protocols The stage of the cancer is the most important factor to determine the type of treatment. This is according to the spread of the tumor. Surgery alone is the preferred treatment when cancer was detected in an early stage yet if spread to other organs such as the liver or bones more invasive treatments such as surgery, radiation, therapy, and chemotherapy are applied. These options can be used parallel or as a combination for treatments. Since the esophagus is in the neck, chest, and abdomen the tumors can develop in any of these areas. There are many operations accordingly where the tumor and a viable amount of the normal appearing esophagus are removed as it may contain cancerous cells that are only visible under microscope. The purpose of the Surgery is both to remove the cancer and to allow patients to eat after the operation. During the operation, a small tube is placed in the intestines at the conclusion of the operation, which allows for some nutrition while patients recover from their operation. Usually, patients will be allowed to eat within a week after the operation. A modified diet that includes pureed foods and liquids is allowed and will progress to a regular diet within weeks after the operation. Most patients will need to eat smaller yet more frequent meals. It is not uncommon for patients to lose some weight after surgery. After several months, the lost weight is usually regained. Specialized techniques are available to control and limit the amount of pain patients experience after surgery. Often, an epidural catheter is used which provides excellent pain relief for the first few days. Once the catheter is removed, pain pills are prescribed to limit the discomfort for the next few weeks. According to the stage of the cancer Radiation therapy is used to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors, and stop the progression of the cancer. This can be prior to surgery to shrink the tumor or following surgery to wipe out any remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy helps in the relieve of the pain and to ease swallowing. Radiation therapy can be applied externally or radioactive by implanting it in the tumor. Chemotherapy is a combination of drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It can be administered before or after surgery to shrink the tumor or destroy remaining cells or rigorously when surgery is not possible.
These chest wall tumors are almost always formed from bone, cartilage, and/or soft tissue of the chest wall. Some are benign such as infections or growth such while others are malignant lesions such as sarcomas or metastatic cancers which occurs when cancer cells breakaway from where they first formed travelling through the blood and lymph system to form new tumors in other parts of the body. What are the Symptoms Diagnosis Although the diagnosis of these lesions may be difficult, like other cancers diagnosis starts with a through medical history followed by Treatment protocols: Multimodality therapy may be applied Surgery treatment including reconstructive surgery When surgical resections is required. Reconstruction surgery is performed in conjunction with our plastic surgeons who have enabled us to repair nearly any chest wall defect.
A chronic digestive disease where the stomach acids refluxes into the esophagus. Patients suffering from this condition have a weakened sphincter. This can cause an inflammation of the esophageal lining and continuous feeling of heartburn chest pain and even sour taste in the mouth. Symptoms The most common symptom is heartburn also known as acid indigestion. Other symptoms include: If GERD is left untreated it can lead to ulcer formation , bleeding and scarring Treatment: Treatment of GERD is decided by the physician according to the age and severity of the case. A life style change is required for the success of the treatment. Nutrition: Certain foods must be avoided such as high fat, acidic, spicy food mint and caffein
Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a pathological condition characterized by excessive over respiration that is not necessarily associated with the body’s temperature, nervousness, or physical activity. Symptoms: Heavy sweating usually occurs on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, in the armpits (axillary), in the groin area, and/or under the breasts. Treatment: The cause of the sweating is believed to over stimulation of sympathetic nerve which supplies the offending sweat glands. A minimally invasive thoracoscopic approach allows for division o the nerves and relives from this condition.
This is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects neuromuscular transmission resulting in debilitating weakness. The thymus gland plays a big role in this disease through the production of antibodies that attack these receptors, preventing communication signals between nerves and muscles. Symptoms: Treatment: This debilitating disorder is treated with
A hiatal hernia is often discovered during a test or procedure to determine the cause of heartburn or chest or upper abdominal pain. What is a hiatal hernia? A defect in the diaphragm that causes part or sometimes all of the stomach to migrate above the diaphragm to the chest cavity and causes heart burn, indigestion , acid reflux and bloating. Can Surgery Help Fix a Hiatal Hernia? Sometimes a hiatal hernia requires surgery. Surgery is generally used for people who aren't helped by medications to relieve heartburn and acid reflux, or have complications such as severe inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus. Surgery to repair a hiatal hernia may involve returning your stomach down into your abdomen ( in is natural place) and making the defect opening in your diaphragm smaller, reconstructing an esophageal sphincter or removing the hernia sac so no acid return from the stomach to the esophagus. Or your surgeon may insert a tiny camera and special surgical tools through several small incisions in your abdomen. The operation is then performed while your surgeon views images from inside your body that are displayed on a video monitor (laparoscopic surgery). With our minimally inavsive approach patients have a smooth and fast recovery and return back to their daily routine in the shortest possible time compared to open surgery.
