Which diseases should be treated in thoracic surgery?

Thoracic surgery is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the chest organs (such as the lungs, esophagus, mediastinal tumors, chest wall, etc.). Many diseases affect the function of the chest organs and require treatment by a professional thoracic surgeon. This article will introduce which diseases should be treated in thoracic surgery, and explain their causes, symptoms, and treatment methods, aiming to help readers better understand the importance of the field of thoracic surgery.

1. Lung cancer

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from lung tissue and is often closely related to factors such as smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and air pollution. Worldwide, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Although early lung cancer often has no obvious symptoms, as the disease progresses, patients may experience symptoms such as coughing, coughing up blood, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Thoracic surgeons play a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. They use advanced imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRIs for diagnosis, and then develop treatment plans based on the condition. Treatments include surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. The specific method chosen depends on the type and size of the tumor and the patient's health status.

2. Esophageal diseases

The esophagus is part of the digestive tract. It is connected to the pharynx at the top and the cardia of the stomach at the bottom. It is about 25 cm long and can be divided into three sections: the neck, chest, and abdomen. Tumors on the esophagus, such as esophageal cancer, esophagogastric junction cancer (cardia cancer), etc., need to be treated in time by the thoracic surgery department; in addition, some benign diseases of the esophagus, such as esophageal cysts, esophageal leiomyoma, achalasia, severe reflux esophagitis, hiatal hernia, spontaneous esophageal rupture, esophageal tracheal fistula, etc., all need to be treated by the thoracic surgery department. Thoracic surgeons use CT, MRI, gastroscopy and other auxiliary examinations to diagnose esophageal diseases, and then formulate corresponding treatment plans according to the relevant conditions. Common treatment methods include thoracoscopic surgery, traditional thoracotomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other measures.

3. Mediastinal diseases

The mediastinum is located between the left and right thoracic cavities, with the sternum in front, the thoracic vertebrae in the back, the diaphragm below, and connected to the neck above. It contains the heart and large blood vessels, trachea, thymus, vagus nerve, lymph nodes, connective tissue, and adipose tissue. Common mediastinal diseases include: thymoma and teratoma that are common in the anterior mediastinum; pericardial cysts, esophageal cysts, and bronchogenic cysts that are common in the middle mediastinum; and neurogenic tumors that are common in the posterior mediastinum, all of which require thoracic surgery. Thoracic surgeons can use surgery and other methods to treat mediastinal diseases to restore the patient's health. Through surgical resection and other methods, the impact of mediastinal diseases on the patient's physical health can be effectively reduced, helping patients return to normal life.

4. Chest Wall Disease

The chest wall and chest organs are a complete unity in terms of morphology, structure and function. Changes in the morphology of the chest wall can affect the normal functions of the organs, and diseases of various organs can also affect the movement and shape of the thorax. Chest wall diseases are closely related to cardiopulmonary function. Types of chest wall diseases include: deformity (pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum), infection (abscess, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, etc.), and tumor. Among them, chest wall deformity is a type of congenital chest bone developmental abnormality. With age, bone changes become more obvious, which will compress and restrict the organs in the chest cavity, causing functional damage to the two major respiratory and circulatory systems, and will also cause serious psychological disorders. Thoracic surgery needs to intervene in time to correct the deformity, so that patients with deformities can hold their chests high and lead a confident life.

5. Chest Trauma

Chest trauma is common in trauma and may cause a variety of serious complications, such as rib fractures, hemothorax, heart damage, etc., and even endanger the patient's life. Thoracic surgeons need to diagnose and treat these injuries quickly and accurately to avoid further deterioration of the condition. Treatment methods include closed chest drainage, which removes fluid or gas by inserting a catheter to relieve pressure in the chest cavity; at the same time, thoracic surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissue or deal with serious conditions to maintain the patient's life and health. Effective diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to minimize the occurrence of complications. Patients and their families should seek professional medical help as soon as possible to obtain appropriate treatment and care to promote recovery and health.

in conclusion

In general, thoracic surgery is an extremely complex discipline that covers a very wide range of diseases and plays a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of chest organ diseases. For diseases such as lung cancer, esophageal diseases, mediastinal diseases, chest wall diseases and chest trauma, professional thoracic surgeons can provide timely and effective treatment and management to improve patients' health and quality of life. With the continuous advancement of scientific research and continuous innovation of technology, thoracic surgery will be able to provide patients with better medical services and open up new prospects for the treatment of chest diseases. Patients should be aware of the importance of early medical treatment so that they can receive professional treatment and care as soon as possible to maximize the cure rate and survival rate.

Author: Wang Meijing Guilin People's Hospital