Radiotherapy at Nghe An Oncology Hospital: New opportunity for cancer patients

On March 29, 2019, Nghe An Oncology Hospital officially opened and put into operation 02 systems of Precise and Synergy Platform Accelerator Radiotherapy at Nghi Lien Commune, Vinh City, Nghe An. These are 2 lines of multi-energy accelerators including photons and electrons, with the function of treating more cancers for many organs in the body. Deploying treatment for cancer patients with 2 radiotherapy techniques "3D-CRT and IMRT intensity modulated radiotherapy".

With outstanding advantages, these techniques will optimize radiation on tumors and reduce the impact on healthy tissues. Thereby reducing side effects compared to other techniques, giving a high cure rate equivalent to major radiotherapy centers in the country and in the world.

After 5 years, Nghe An Oncology Hospital has received radiation therapy for nearly 4,000 cancer patients with more than 105,000 radiation sessions. The number of patients using advanced IMRT technology accounts for nearly 70% of the total number of cases. Thus, at Nghe An Oncology Hospital, patients have been and are receiving advanced techniques in radiation therapy. The successful application of radiation therapy techniques for cancer patients has become a bright spot in the healthcare sector of Nghe An province in particular and the North Central region in general.

Along with that, the hospital has also been equipped with a new generation CT simulation system; a complete patient information management software system - MOSAIQ; Monaco 5 radiotherapy planning system, supporting doctors in accurately diagnosing the disease stage and monitoring recurrence after treatment, bringing high efficiency to all radiotherapy techniques performed on the accelerator..

Since 2013, as a satellite hospital of K Hospital, Nghe An Oncology Hospital has been trained and transferred many specialized techniques, especially radiotherapy. Doctors have confidently mastered and implemented most of the services and advanced techniques of the Central level. Radiotherapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, before or after surgery for many cancers. Radiotherapy is indicated for many cancers such as: Head and neck cancer, lung cancer, esophagus, breast, rectum, prostate, cervix, skin cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, etc.

Mr. NTP, 73 years old, Do Luong district, Nghe An, a prostate cancer patient who has been treated at Nghe An Oncology Hospital in recent years, said: "Before, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I often had to go to Hanoi for examination and radiotherapy. Since radiotherapy at Nghe An Oncology Hospital, I no longer have to carry a lot of things to Hanoi, and it is also more convenient for my family to travel to take care of me. I would like to thank Nghe An Oncology Hospital for providing modern services that help patients feel secure during treatment."

Determining the quality of human resources plays a decisive role in radiotherapy treatment, up to now, the radiotherapy department of Nghe An Oncology Hospital has a total of 17 doctors. Of which, there is 01 doctor training PhD students, 05 Masters of Oncology, 06 Specialist I doctors, 01 Master of Atomic - Nuclear Physics, 05 Physics engineers and 16 technicians. The team of doctors and medical staff always actively cultivate and improve their professional qualifications and skills. Continuously update the current advanced medical knowledge in the field of cancer. Participate in research, initiatives, topics, and reports at national and multinational scientific conferences on cancer. As of 2023, Nghe An Oncology Hospital has 06 provincial-level scientific research topics approved and accepted, of which 01 topic achieved excellent results; 02 provincial-level scientific reports; 07 initiatives and topics at the grassroots level of the health sector were announced at the Nghe An Health Sector Scientific Conference; 06 scientific articles were published in the National Cancer Journal on the field of radiotherapy. Along with that is the innovation and improvement of service attitude and style towards patient satisfaction. In 2023, the satisfaction index for the first 9 months of the year of inpatients was 98.5%, outpatients was 95.2%.

"Since Nghe An Oncology Hospital has deployed radiotherapy techniques, it has created conditions for patients in Nghe An province and neighboring areas to enjoy advanced techniques of modern medicine right in the province without having to transfer to the Central level. This helps shorten the distance and reduce treatment costs, meeting the goal of patient satisfaction. Contributing to making Nghe An soon become a medical center of the North Central region as Resolution 26 of the Politburo",Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Trung - Director of Nghe An Oncology Hospital shared.

Completing the cycle from diagnosis to cancer treatment, Nghe An Oncology Hospital continues to "Expand scale - Affirm position" and starts construction of phase 2 of the hospital, with a scale of 1,250 beds. Opening up many opportunities for closed treatment for cancer patients in Nghe An as well as neighboring provinces, with the orientation of developing the hospital according to the model of "smart hospital", "hotel hospital", aiming to become a specialized center for Oncology in the region and the whole country.

Building on the achievements, to move forward steadily into the future, Nghe An Oncology Hospital will continue to further develop the field of radiotherapy, perfecting cancer treatment regimens using immunotherapy, radiotherapy and IMRT radiotherapy techniques to bring maximum benefits to patients, contributing to the fight against cancer, caring for, protecting and improving people's health. With that meaning, it is hoped that "IMRT dose-modulated radiotherapy" at Nghe An Oncology Hospital will bring many opportunities for survival to cancer patients.