Doctors at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital visit a 5-year-old patient who successfully received trans-tissue brachytherapy - Photo: Provided by the hospital
On the afternoon of June 29, according to information from the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, the hospital has just successfully performed trans-tissue brachytherapy on a case of para-anal rhabdomyosarcoma in a 5-year-old patient living in Hanoi . This patient was diagnosed, given chemotherapy and surgery at the National Children's Hospital before being transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital.
Doctors from the two hospitals held an online, multidisciplinary consultation. The child was treated with high-dose rate trans-tissue brachytherapy from June 23 to 25.
The baby is anesthetized, radioactive tubes are inserted into the treatment area, CT scan simulation is performed, optimal treatment planning is done, and radiation therapy is given.
A total of 5 radiation sessions were performed over 3 days, each lasting just over 4 minutes. The treatment ended on the afternoon of June 25 and the patient was discharged on June 26 without any side effects.
According to doctors, brachytherapy has many advantages in these cases due to its very good dose distribution, very low dose to surrounding healthy organs to avoid side effects, highly accurate treatment, and very short total treatment time (from 3-5 days) compared to 4-5 weeks if using external radiotherapy.
However, to perform brachytherapy for children, it is necessary to have equipment, a team of high-quality professionals and experience.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a relatively rare disease with an estimated incidence of only 4-7 cases/1 million children/year, accounting for 3% of childhood cancers, mainly occurring in children under 10 years old.
Treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma in children is a multi-modal combination including chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and multi-disciplinary coordination of oncology, pediatrics, pathology, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, and nutrition to have the best treatment plan for children.
Prognosis has improved significantly in recent years. For cases without distant metastasis, the cure rate can reach 65-80%.
The National Children's Hospital has coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital to provide brachytherapy treatment to 5 children with rhabdomyosarcoma in different locations: bladder neck, tongue, vagina, perineum since 2022 with very good results. Currently, the children are all stable and have no side effects from radiotherapy.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhieu-benh-nhi-ung-thu-cac-tinh-thanh-vao-benh-vien-ung-buou-tp-hcm-dieu-tri-20250629153146432.htm
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