Saving kidney transplant patient with breast cancer with new technique

Cho Ray Hospital (HCMC) has just successfully treated a patient with bilateral breast cancer who had undergone a kidney transplant.

On November 8, Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Huynh Quang Khanh, Head of the Breast Department, Cho Ray Hospital, said that the breast cancer patient who had just been successfully treated was Ms. NTH (40 years old, residing in Tay Ninh province).

Four years ago, Ms. H. received a kidney transplant at Cho Ray Hospital due to end-stage chronic kidney failure. Through health screening, Ms. H. accidentally discovered lesions on both breasts in 2024, and was instructed to monitor and have regular check-ups.

By September 2025, from the results of an MRI and biopsy, doctors determined that Ms. H. had very early stage breast cancer (stage 0).

Dr. Huynh Quang Khanh examines a patient

Because the patient had to take anti-rejection drugs after the kidney transplant, her immune system was weakened. If the treatment regimen was applied like that of a normal breast cancer patient, Ms. H. would have to undergo radiation and chemotherapy after surgery, seriously affecting her health.

To minimize the risk to the patient, the team chose a minimally invasive surgical method: endoscopic bilateral mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy without axillary lymph node dissection, and breast reconstruction with implants.

With a small 4cm incision, this technique helps patients completely treat breast cancer, with little pain, small scars, and ensures aesthetics in just one surgery.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Huynh Quang Khanh, this is the first kidney transplant patient to undergo surgery and reconstruction of both breasts using a combination of many new methods and techniques.

GIAO SPIRIT

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cuu-benh-nhan-ghep-than-bi-ung-thu-vu-bang-ky-thuat-moi-post822455.html