The symposium “Latest Updates On Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment and Management”, held on August 16th at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, gathered 20 leading oncology experts and 200 multidisciplinary doctors, attracting significant attention from both Vietnamese and international medical professionals.
This mark is an important medical collaboration between Samsung Medical Center (South Korea) and Hong Ngoc General Hospital, creating an opportunity for Vietnamese doctors to gain access to advanced treatment models from one of Asia’s most developed healthcare systems.
The symposium featured 8 keynote speakers, all leading oncology experts from South Korea, who have conducted extensive research and are directly involved in developing treatment protocols for thousands of breast cancer patients each year in their country. Among them were distinguished professors and researchers who play pivotal roles in breast cancer treatment, including - Prof. Jeong Eon Lee MD, PhD – Chairman of the Board of Directors, Korean Breast Cancer Society; Prof. Ji Hye Hwang MD, PhD – Former President, Korean Society of Cancer Rehabilitation; and Prof. Jonghan Yu MD, PhD – Division of Breast Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, etc.
Opening the symposium, Prof. Jeong Eon Lee, MD, PhD, FACS (Director of the Breast Cancer Center – Director of the Office of External Affairs, Samsung Medical Center, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Korean Breast Cancer Society) presented practical numbers from Korea, demonstrating the remarkable progress in early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Professor Lee shared: “In Korea, up to 80% of breast cancer cases are detected at the DCIS stage (stage 0), with survival rates of up to 98–99%, while late-stage detections (stage 3 and 4) account for a very low percentage. Regarding treatment, about two-thirds of patients undergo breast-conserving surgery, and notably, nearly 60% of mastectomy patients who have a mastectomy now receive immediate reconstruction after surgery.”
Comparing this with the situation in Vietnam, Professor Lee pointed out that: “Although the breast cancer incidence rate in Vietnam is lower than in Korea, the mortality rate is higher. This is precisely why we are here to collaborate with and support Vietnam's medical community in its efforts to improve the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment”. Through this comparison, he emphasized the importance of a comprehensive screening program and multidisciplinary treatment in a holistic breast cancer management model: “We believe that the multidisciplinary consultation process not only improves treatment effectiveness but also helps all patients access personalized treatment plans, tailored to their specific disease stage and circumstances.”
Immediately following Professor Lee's presentation, the Korean experts continued with in-depth insights, offering a more comprehensive perspective on the breast cancer treatment process.
In the field of diagnostic imaging, Assoc. Prof. Ji Soo Choi, MD, PhD (Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center) emphasized the pivotal role of MRI, mammography, and ultrasound with integrated artificial intelligence. This technology helps doctors detect small lesions, enabling accurate treatment planning, increasing the chance of recovery, and reducing complications for patients.
For surgical options, Prof. Jonghan Yu, MD, PhD (Chair, Division of Breast Surgery, Samsung Medical Center) presented current trends in breast cancer surgery, which feature numerous advancements aimed at preserving a patient's body image. Notably, some of these techniques have been routinely applied at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, offering long-term benefits to patients.
In addition, advancements in systemic therapy, radiotherapy, breast reconstruction, and rehabilitation were also shared, shaping a comprehensive and long-term breast cancer management process. This model not only enables early detection and targeted treatment but also improves the quality of life, helping patients maintain normal daily activities. This is valuable experience for Vietnam in developing a comprehensive care system, rather than just focusing on treatment.
The presentations at the symposium offered valuable lessons not only in terms of clinical treatment protocols but also in the healthcare system. Through close collaboration with Samsung Medical Center, Hong Ngoc General Hospital is leveraging its multidisciplinary strengths to build a high-quality workforce and a modern equipment system, with the ambition of developing an oncology department that meets international standards in the future.
