Cutting-edge cervical cancer treatment available in 3 Vietnamese hospitals

The Radiation Therapy Centers at K Hospital in Hanoi, Da Nang Oncology Hospital, and Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital have acquired cutting-edge IGABT training equipment. This is part of Project Active (Enhancing the Capacity of Cervical Cancer Therapy in Vietnam), the first initiative of its kind in the country. The hospitals received government approval in 2024 and are the primary partners in Vietnam for Project Active.

Doctors joining a cutting-edge IGABT training section. Photo courtesy of Active

Project Active is supported by KfW DEG (Deutsche Investitions - und Entwicklungsgesellschaft) and Elekta, in collaboration with three cancer centers, the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), and clinical specialists. The program aims to expand access to IGABT for cervical cancer patients across Vietnam.

Cervical cancer remains a significant health challenge in Vietnam where over 4,000 cases are diagnosed annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified IGABT as a key technology in the effort to improve treatment outcomes and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.

Research has shown that integrating IGABT with standard radiation therapy can nearly double the overall survival rate for cervical cancer patients. While conventional radiation therapy provides an average survival rate of 42%, the use of IGABT increases survival by an additional 33%.

The improved clinical outcomes for cervical cancer patients treated with IGABT come from the highly precise and adaptive nature of the therapy. IGABT maximizes the destruction of cancer cells while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissues, which significantly reduces negative side effects while improving outcomes.

Initial results from patients undergoing IGABT in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have been positive, with patients expressing satisfaction and specialists attributing favorable clinical outcomes to the precision of IGABT.

Since 2021, over 160 clinical specialists in Vietnam have been trained in IGABT using a European-developed syllabus. They have received hands-on skills training and certification from the United Nations in advanced radiation therapy. This initiative has significantly expanded IGABT expertise, ensuring greater access to high-quality cervical cancer treatment throughout the country.

Project Active reflects a collaborative effort to raise healthcare standards by integrating advanced medical technology with in-country training programs. By expanding access to IGABT, the initiative contributes to improving cervical cancer treatment in Vietnam and aligns with global efforts to eliminate the disease as a public health issue.

See more about Project Active here.