“To talk about the example of treatment and scientific research for patients, Dr. Tran Van Ton is one of the exemplary figures in the field!” From the introduction given by Lieutenant Colonel, PhD, Doctor Vu Anh Hai, Head of the Radiotherapy Department, Director of the Cancer Center (Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University – VMMU), we sought to meet Major, M.M, Doctor Tran Van Ton.

Our first impression when interacting with him is his agile, scientific manner. Our conversation with Dr. Tran Van Ton was constantly interrupted by phone calls. Although keeping receiving the direction of consultation tasks from superiors, sometimes exchanging expertise with colleagues, sometimes advises patients, he showed his calm in receiving information, giving quick and concise answers, useful advice for patients.

Doctor Tran Van Ton was born in 1986. After graduating from his training VMMU, Dr. Ton was assigned to work at Military Hospital 103. Up to now, Dr. Ton has been actively practicing in the field of oncology for nearly 10 years. Although the time may not be too long for a doctor who both treats patients and engages in scientific research, he has managed to accumulate an impressive collection of dozens of research topics and initiatives recognized by various levels of recognition, commendations, and high awards in competitions (including 2 First Prize, 1 Second Prize, and the Young Creative Award in the Military), along with nearly 20 published papers.

Most recently, Major Tran Van Ton (as the initiative leader) along with treating doctors Lieutenant Nguyen Chau Phong and Lieutenant Vu Thanh Tung participated in the 23^rd Military Young Creative Award with the initiative titled “Adaptive Fractionated Radiotherapy Technique for Head and Neck Cancer Patients at Military Hospital 103” and won the First Prize. The technique has been implemented as a standard procedure for all head and neck cancer patients at the Military Hospital 103.

Doctor Tran Van Ton visits patients to inquire about their health.

Talking about this initiative, Dr. Tran Van Ton said that in Vietnam, most radiotherapy facilities in the country have only conducted conventional 1-phase modulated radiotherapy. Therefore, the research team proceeded to improve the conventional 1-phase dose-modulated radiation therapy procedure, developing a 2-phase adaptive dose-modulated radiation therapy procedure for patients with head and neck cancer. Thereby overcoming the shortage of radiation doses at the target lesion as well as the increase in dose intake in healthy institutions to help maintain high-dose radiation therapy at target lesions; limit unwanted effects on healthy organs, improve the efficiency of killing cancer cells and maximally protect healthy organs…

According to Lieutenant Colonel Vu Anh Hai, the above initiative and many other achievements completed by Dr. Tran Van Ton and his colleagues bring benefits to patients, and at the same time contribute to encouraging the youth of the Department of Radiation Physiotherapy in particular, Military Hospital 103 in general to constantly study, improve the capacity of professional qualifications, apply scientific research in the process of life-saving healing. “For every patient, when diagnosed with cancer, it feels like holding a death sentence and standing on the edge of collapse and despair. Accompanying patients and their families, gradually bringing them back to normal life is the greatest happiness of the physician and also the motivation for us to try harder every day…”, Major, Dr. Tran Van Ton shared.

News and photos: BICH TRANG, Translator: NGUYEN THANH NGA