Patient having a PET/CT scan at the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center, Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH
Exchange with Youth Online After the information 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. THI NGUYEN TRI talk:
- 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 awarding the decision to appoint 2 deputy directors of Cho Ray Hospital on March 6 - PV) about Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai. agreed to support the policy of building two proton radiotherapy systems at K Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital proposed by the Ministry of Health.
When this information was conveyed, the medical community across the country was very happy, especially those working in the field of oncology treatment and cancer patients.
* And investing in building this proton radiotherapy system will solve the inevitable and urgent need in cancer treatment in Vietnam, sir?
– That was clearly shown after Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan's announcement, the whole hall burst into applause.
Because this is a very essential treatment method that advanced 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. Proton radiotherapy is especially beneficial for children with cancer.
This is different from conventional radiotherapy, which often greatly affects 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 to go abroad for treatment, which costs a lot of time and money.
According to Mr. Thuc, in 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, at that time the concern was also about problems in bidding and purchasing equipment and supplies. Many experts agreed with his proposal but thought it was just a "distant dream"...
– I make this recommendation not in vain and not without basis. I understand that Vietnamese oncologists are very good and have strong basic professional knowledge, so they can completely access this modern treatment method in just 3-6 months of studying abroad.
During a number of times abroad to learn about proton radiotherapy systems, I wondered how long it would take to study with the qualifications of the oncologists at K Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology and Cho Ray. can only be understood.
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 for an important project like building a proton radiotherapy center to come into operation. As for expertise, we have no difficulties at all and currently we have sent a team of two engineers and a doctor abroad to study.
9 types of cancer benefit from proton radiotherapy
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 all been widely applying radiation techniques. Proton therapy aims to improve the quality of cancer treatment.
By 2023, the world will have 123 proton radiotherapy centers operating, of which the United States ranks first with 43 centers, followed by Japan with 26 centers and China with 7 centers.
Proton radiotherapy is the most advanced external beam radiotherapy technique today. This technique allows the optimal dose of radiation to be delivered precisely to the tumor, including tumors with complex shapes located near healthy radiosensitive organs.
Especially when the tumor is located near critical organs (OAR), proton radiotherapy is the most optimal treatment method.
Notably, there are at least 9 types of cancer that benefit from this technique including prostate cancer, eye, brain, head, neck, lung, esophageal, breast, liver and children's cancers.
