Patients have PET/CT scans at the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH
Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online after the news that Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai agreed to support the policy of building a proton radiotherapy system proposed by the Ministry of Health, Mr. NGUYEN TRI THUC said :
- I have not yet received an official document from the Government. But personally, I am very happy after the announcement from Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan (at the ceremony to hand over the decision to appoint 2 deputy directors of Cho Ray Hospital on March 6 - PV) about Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai agreeing to support the policy of building 2 proton radiotherapy systems at K Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital proposed by the Ministry of Health.
When this information was spread, the medical community across the country was very happy, especially those working in the field of cancer treatment and cancer patients.
* And will investing in building this proton radiotherapy system solve the inevitable and urgent need for cancer treatment in Vietnam, sir?
- That was clearly shown after the announcement of Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan, the whole hall burst into applause.
Because this is a very essential treatment method that developed countries have applied effectively and needs to be available in Vietnam.
Simply put, proton radiotherapy will help "target" tumors without causing or minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. In particular, proton radiotherapy is especially beneficial for children with cancer.
This is different from conventional radiotherapy, which often has a large impact on surrounding tissues, causing many side effects on the body's organs.
Because of these limitations and the fact that there is no proton radiotherapy system in the country, many patients have had to go abroad for treatment, which costs a lot of time and money.
According to Mr. Thuc, with just 3-6 months of studying abroad, Vietnamese engineers and doctors can master proton radiotherapy techniques - Photo: DUYEN PHAN
* At the time he made the recommendation, the focus was on the problems in bidding and purchasing equipment and materials. Many experts agreed with his recommendation but thought it was just a "far-fetched dream"...
- I make this suggestion not out of fantasy and not without basis. I understand that Vietnamese oncologists are very good, with a solid foundation of basic professional knowledge, so it is completely possible to access this modern treatment method in just 3-6 months of studying abroad.
During several trips abroad to learn about the proton therapy system, I wondered how long it would take to learn the knowledge of the oncologists at K Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, and Cho Ray Hospital.
Foreign experts also admit that in just 3-6 months, Vietnamese doctors will be able to completely master this advanced technique.
* It is expected that one of these two radiotherapy systems will be located at Cho Ray Hospital. So what has the hospital proactively prepared?
- Of course, it takes 2-3 years to complete an important project like the construction of a proton therapy center. As for our expertise, we have no difficulty at all and we have sent a team of two engineers and one doctor to study abroad.
9 types of cancer that benefit from proton therapy
Currently, developed countries in the world such as the US, Japan, Germany, France, UK, Russia, China and some countries in Southeast Asia (Singapore, Thailand) have been widely applying proton radiotherapy to improve the quality of cancer treatment.
As of 2023, there are 123 proton radiotherapy centers in operation worldwide, with the US leading with 43 centers, followed by Japan with 26 centers and China with 7 centers.
Proton radiotherapy is the most advanced external beam radiotherapy technique available today. This technique allows for the precise delivery of an optimal dose of radiation to the tumor, including tumors with complex shapes located near healthy organs that are sensitive to radiation.
Especially when the tumor is located near organs at risk (OAR), proton radiotherapy is the optimal treatment.
Notably, there are at least nine types of cancer that benefit from this technique, including prostate, eye, brain, head, neck, lung, esophageal, breast, liver, and childhood cancers.
Source
Comment (0)