Specialists warn against misdiagnosing chest, abdominal pains as ulcer

Medical specialists at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) have cautioned patients, particularly women, against assuming every chest and abdominal pain are symptoms of an ulcer without undergoing an endoscopic test.

The experts’ warning came amid concerns over misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of ailments that can have devastating consequences.

According to a gyneaoncologist, Prof Nyengidiki Kennedy and a cardio-vascular surgeon, Dr Amadi Christian, such pains could also indicate stomach cancer or ovarian malignancy.

The warning came during the hospital’s monthly ground rounds presentation on managing a patient with an infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysm co-existing with a huge ovarian mass, which required two high-end surgeries.

“Nobody should self-diagnose ulcer without medical confirmation. If initial treatment doesn’t resolve the issue, consult a specialist or gastroenterologist for an endoscopy. Only then can we confirm ulcer,” Kennedy stressed.

He emphasised that delayed diagnosis could have dire consequences, saying: “Sometimes, someone may have stomach cancer but assumes its ulcer, taking the medication until it’s too late. Early presentation increases survival chances.”

Christian added, “Aortic aneurysm can go undetected until symptoms appear, such as abdominal pain or leg ulcers. We advise monitoring risk factors and seeking medical attention for unusual symptoms.”

The specialists urged the public to prioritise good health-seeking behaviour for early disease detection and treatment.
“Don’t assume chest and abdominal pains are just ulcers; get tested. Prevention and early detection are key to saving lives,” Kennedy advised.

He reassured that ovarian cancer is not a death sentence, citing a 90 per cent five-year survival rate for stage one patients. “UPTH can provide a cure for such cases. We urge healthcare seekers to present themselves early for treatment,” Kennedy said.

The Chairman Medical Advisory Council (CMAC), Prof Datonye Alasia, highlighted the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration in treating complex cases.

He said the presentation highlighted the importance of collaborative care between specialties, as demonstrated by the successful joint surgery performed by the cardio-thoracic and gyneaoncology units.

“This approach is more economical for patients and institutions. We encourage other healthcare facilities to adopt this model.”

Alasia emphasised UPTH’s capability to handle high-end cases, typically requiring international travel. “We deliver quality services and urge the public to take advantage of our expertise.”