Many advances in the treatment of lymphoma

Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) is one of the cancers that can be treated very effectively. In recent years, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion has implemented many modern methods of treating lymphoma, bringing hope and an increasingly better quality of life to patients.

Vietnam has made much progress in the treatment of lymphoma.

88 years old, 10 years never backing down from cancer

In 2013, Mr. Nguyen Dac Viet (Hanoi) discovered he had lymphoma at the age of 78. Despite his advanced age and having experienced two relapses, during the past 10 years, there has never been a moment when he felt pessimistic or had the thought of giving up.

In 2022, when he turned 88, he was still ready to face chemotherapy for more than 7 months after the second relapse. When talking about the chemotherapy time, his voice was still cheerful, cheerful, and without any fear.

"When the chemicals entered my body, I felt a little uncomfortable, dizzy, and walked slowly. I also experienced side effects, but I overcame them all. I never felt discouraged, and now I exercise every day. Every day, I wave my arms 1,000 times and walk for kilometers," said Mr. Viet.

He always believes that trust in doctors and physical training will help patients overcome difficulties and challenges: "For patients, the most important thing is that we must have complete trust in the hospital and absolutely comply with treatment regimens. The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion is a hospital where doctors and nurses are dedicated and devoted to patients.

The doctors and nurses at the hospital have helped me overcome serious illnesses three times (once when I first discovered the disease and twice when it relapsed). Therefore, you should not panic or be afraid because panic will make your spirit go down and the disease will get worse. The second thing to note is that when you are healthy, take advantage of exercising during your hospital stay."

Although he is 88 years old, for the past 10 years, Mr. Viet has never given up on cancer.

Like Mr. Nguyen Dac Viet, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu (Nam Dinh) is also being treated at the Department of General Hematology, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. In 2019, she received the news that she had lymphoma just 1 month after giving birth. She was devastated because she thought she was about to be separated from her husband, children and loved ones; so many plans and projects for the future were still unfinished... Thinking too much, she could only cry!

After that, she went online to learn about her illness and followed a diet as advised by her doctor. She did not allow herself to think about negative things anymore and only focused on thinking about living for her children. Her children became her support to stay optimistic, try and forget about her illness.

After 6 months of treatment, her illness was in remission and she only needed to go for regular check-ups. She shared: "Thanks to the care and encouragement of family, friends and colleagues; the dedicated advice of Dr. Vu Duc Binh, the attentive care of Dr. Nguyen Thuy Duong and the nurses of the General Hematology Department, luck came to me. I was discharged from the hospital and life returned to normal! I can take care of my children again and continue my teaching job! I pray to be with my children until they grow up."

In the 2021-2022 school year, she was also awarded a certificate of merit by the District People's Committee for Teachers who have overcome difficulties to achieve high achievements in teaching. She confided: "The road ahead is still very long and arduous. But no matter what the circumstances, we must be optimistic, happy, and strive towards the goal of the children. And after the rain, the sky will be bright again!"

Many modern treatments for lymphoma are being implemented.

At the Department of General Hematology, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, we can meet many patients like Mr. Viet and Ms. Nhu.

Dr. Vu Duc Binh - Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Head of the Department of General Blood Diseases and patient Nguyen Thi Nhu.

Dr. Vu Duc Binh - Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Head of the Department of General Hematology said: According to statistics from US experts in 2021, there are about 90,000 new cases of lymphoma every year. Of which, the 5-year survival rate is over 73% (period from 2011 - 2017). In Vietnam, lymphoma (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) ranks 13th among common cancers.

In the past, especially before the year 2000, the treatment of lymphoma was very difficult, with poor prognosis. But now, there have been many advances in the treatment of lymphoma such as: treatment with new anti-cancer agents combined with classic chemotherapy regimens, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, or possibly combined with radiotherapy, surgery in some cases...

The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion regularly updates knowledge and new treatment regimens for lymphoma from international conferences and international hospitals in the US, Singapore, etc.

More and more new drugs are being introduced that are effective for patients. Thanks to that, the remission rate in the treatment of lymphoma is quite high, patients have a long life with good quality of life, even in the elderly patient group.