Since the early 70s of the last century, although the country still had many difficulties, realizing the great role of nuclear technology and engineering in serving life and medicine, the State and the Army have focused on the investment in this field. On March 17, 1971, “Radioisotope Laboratory”, code name as K71 (predecessor of the Department – Center of Oncology, Military Hospital 103) of the Vietnam Military Medical School (now the Vietnam Military Medical University) was established.

With the purpose of promoting the application of radioisotopes in diagnosis, disease treatment and scientific research, after more than 50 years of construction and growth, the Department – Center of Oncology has continuously developed. In an article, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Cong Thuy – who spent nearly 20 years as Head of the Department – K71, responsible for all activities of the unit from 1971 to 1988, said that the initial facility of K71 was quite sketchy, there are not many scientific human resources in this field, but with the attention of leaders and commanders at all levels, only 3 years after its establishment, the unit was able to organize specialized teaching in nuclear medicine for the cadets. Since then, with constant efforts and striving, the Department has participated in teaching hundreds of long-term training classes for doctors, resident doctors and doctoral candidates specializing in oncology; participating in training specialists, doctoral and master candidates specializing in nuclear medicine and many other master’s courses in other related majors. Every year, the Department’s lecturers teach 500 theoretical lessons and 2,000-2,500 practical lessons to students, contributing to training quality human resources for nuclear medicine facilities across the country. The MAs, First and Second degree specialists, and PhDs who graduated from the Department later performed very good jobs at many medical facilities inside and outside the Army.

In particular, the Oncology Center is gradually becoming a reliable address for cancer patients. On average each year, the Center receives and treats more than 7,000 cancer patients with a variety of diseases. Modern nuclear medicine imaging techniques such as SPECT, PET/CT are deployed. In addition, many modern and advanced cancer treatment methods are available today such as: 3D (3-dimensional) radiotherapy technique according to tumor morphology, high-dose rate XTAS, pain-relieving XT, combined chemotherapy-radiotherapy. Combination, concurrent chemotherapy-radiotherapy, radioactive isotope treatment and pain-relief treatment-palliative care… have been focused on and updated promptly. Many patients with severe and late-stage cancer have received treatment to improve their quality of life and prolong their survival.

Moreover, we learned that in recent years, the Oncology Center has implemented, completed and put into application many scientific studies at the State, ministerial and grassroots levels in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Those are the results of research on anti-radiation drugs and radioactive drugs; Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases using radioactive isotopes; Combination regimens (chemotherapy-radiation, surgery-radiation) in the treatment of cancer…

Lieutenant Colonel, PhD, MD Vu Anh Hai, Head of the Department of Physics and Radiotherapy, Director of the Center said: “To get the above results, we have continuously updated modern techniques, high technology in diagnosis and treatment by sending doctors and nurses for training; Invite domestic and foreign experts to transfer technology at the Hospital. Improve the qualifications of staff in many ways such as attending specialized conferences and seminars at home and abroad, on-site training, self-study to improve qualifications and practical capacity. Assign specific, deep specialization to each technical team. Maintain good nursing regime, comprehensive patient care, carry out medical orders, develop scientific procedures for each specific job, avoid errors and confusion. Special attention is paid to patient care and nutrition. With the slogan “Come with warmly welcome, stay with dedicated care, return with thoughtful advice”, taking the patient as the center, the style and service attitude of the staff in the unit are always appreciated by patients and their families.”

Doctors visit and encourage patients treated at the Oncology Center, Military Hospital 103. Photo: NGOC MAI

Directly accompanying Lieutenant Colonel Vu Anh Hai to the hospital rooms to examine and talk to patients, we understand more and more the silent work of the doctors here. Mr. Hai said that in other specialties, most patients come for treatment and then say goodbye to the doctor immediately after being discharged from the hospital. As for oncology patients, when they come to the Center, it is almost certain that they will stick with the Department and the doctors for the rest of their lives. For that reason, their relationship is no longer simply between a doctor and a patient, but over time has become like family. Doctors, in addition to their expertise, are also like brothers, sisters, and close friends, listening and understanding each patient’s situation to accompany them through each stage of treatment. In their own way, the white-shirted soldiers here are trying to prolong the lives of people with incurable diseases.

Talking to us, Dr. Hai affirmed that at the Center, “individualization” in the treatment of cancer patients is very clearly shown. Doctors must carefully grasp information about the family situation, hometown, conditions, economic capabilities… of each patient they are in charge of. Only then can come up with a treatment regimen as well as a suitable course of care. He confided: “I always remember the case of patient D.T.D, born in 1991, with high-grade diffuse glioma in the left temporal parietal area. When the disease was discovered in June 2021, his illness was in the late stages, causing weakness on the right side of his body. After surgery, due to the large size of the tumor, it was impossible to completely remove the tumor, so his symptoms did not improve much. My family also has an elderly mother who is lonely, the economy is very difficult and effective treatment methods are expensive, the family cannot afford it. Understanding that, we met and informed the family specifically about the condition, the treatment needed for new drugs, how expensive it was, and together we found the optimal solution. Fortunately, he later received support from acquaintances and had access to modern treatment regimens. The clinical results improved significantly, the child could walk, and the tumor was still very small. Every time I visit the hospital room, I see my child and mother smiling happily. That is a priceless gift for both patients and doctors…”

While talking to Lieutenant Colonel Vu Anh Hai, we noticed that Mr. Trinh Tu Hoan, a nursing staff at the Department of Physics and Radiation Therapy, had just meticulously changed the medicine for Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue, born in 1974, from Hoang Phu commune, Hoang Hoa district (Thanh Hoa), gently encouraged her to try hard to be able to leave the hospital early. After nearly 20 days of treatment at the Department, undergoing intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Ms. Hue’s body became visibly weaker but her spirit was very optimistic. She said, when she first learned that she had bilateral breast cancer, she was very shocked and pessimistic, not wanting to eat or drink anything. Because she also had many other underlying diseases, she asked for a referral for treatment at the Department of Physics and Radiation Therapy. “The doctors here are very good. Many times when I was tired, I felt a little irritable, even uncooperative, but they were still kind, gently encouraged me, explained what I would go through during the treatment process, and encouraged me to fight. diseases. It is they who help me be confident that I will get better every day. I will be discharged from the hospital in two days!”, Ms. Hue happily said.

NEWS: TUAN TU – DUNG CUONG, TRANSLATION: MINH KHOA