Current Status of Nuclear MedicineIn Vietnam

Mai Trong Khoa, M.D.

Department of Nuclear Medicine,Hanoi Medical University,

Bach Mai University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam

History (1)

In 1970 the first isotopes were used for diagnosing

patients with thyroid diseases in the two nuclear

medicine unites (in Hanoi).

In 1976, the section of nuclear medicine was combined

with Vietnam Society of Radiology and this society

has become Vietnam Society of Radiology and

Nuclear Medicine (VSRNM).

The general assembly of VSRNM is held every 4 years.

.

History (2) History (2)

In 1978 the first patients with hyperthyroidism were

treated by I-131 in nuclear medicine department of

Bach Mai Hospital- (Hanoi Capital).

In 1987 the first RIA laboratory was established in N.M.

Dept. of Bach Mai Hosp.- Hanoi,

and the first N.M. Dept. in Hanoi Medical University

was established for teaching medical students and for

post-graduate on nuclear medicine.

History (3)

In 1993, the first gamma camera was installed in

N.M. Dept. of Cho Ray Hospital- (Ho Chi Minh city).

In 1994, the first patients with thyroid cancer were

treated by I-131 in N.M. Dept. of Cho Ray Hospital-

(Ho Chi Minh city).

Up to this time ( 2003), there are 18 departments and

centers of nuclear medicine..

Members

1. The organization:

Vietnam Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

(VSRNM) includes Radiology and Nuclear Medicine sections.

- President:

- 2 Vice Presidents:

- 1 Secretory General:

2. Total members of nuclear medicine division in the VSRNM: 89

Main Objectives of VSRNM (1)

To work out scientific activities by way of conferences, seminars and educational programs on nuclear medicine (N.M).

To establish communication with the

Departments and Centers of N.M. in Vietnam

To work out national training programs on N. M.

Main Objectives of VSRNM (2)

To foster international cooperation for

promoting N.M. in Vietnam.

To communicate with international

organizations on N.M.

To publish national journal of N.M. in near future

Number of Hospitals - having NM Department

0

5

10

15

20

70 75 80 85 90 95 96 97 98

Years

Number of N.M. Dept.

03

Equipment ( in vivo and in vitro)

Number

In vivo:• Gamma Camera 10

• SPECT(single head) 14

• SPECT (dual head) 0

In vitro:• Gamma counter 20• Beta counter 3

Total number of gamma camera and SPECT

0

5

10

15

20

25

93 96 97 98 99

Years

Total number

030100 02

Reagents and Radiopharmaceuticals

Totally Partially imported imported

• RIA kits • Tc-99m generators • I-131 • P-32 • Tl-201 • Re-188 • First generation Tc-99m labelled radiopharmaceuticals (DTPA...) • Other 2nd and 3rd generation labelled compounds (sistamibi, HMPAO...)

Distribution of Radioisotopes in Therapy

0

20

40

60

80

100

Thyroid disease Bone palliation Liver cancer

%

I-131

P-32Sm-153

Re-188

Distribution of RIA & IRMA

0

10

20

30

40

50

Thyroid Hepatitisseries

Endocrine Tum orMarker

Other

%

Current problem of nuclear medicine in VSRNM

• Vietnam is developing country, so we have difficulties to buy

new nuclear medicine equipments as well as

radiophamaceuticals from foreign countries.

• For improving the level of nuclear medicine in Vietnam in future,

we have needed wider to use SPECT for neurological,

cadiovascular, renal... disoders, and to promote PET as well as to

measure tumor markers by RIA and IRMA...

• Too few Physicians and technologist

Solution• Increase number of training programs for

Physicians and technologists • Dicrease the cost of N.M examinations for poor

patiens To foster international cooperation for• promoting N.M. in Vietnam. To communicate with international • organizations on N.M.

Education & Training of N.M.

1). Physician:a). Hanoi Medical University and Army Academy of Medicine (in nuclear medicine departments) have offered:

• Under-graduate education in N.M. (for medical students of fourth year class)

• Post-graduate education in N.M. (for degree of Master and Ph.D of N.M.).b). Sending them abroad. 2). Technologist, Medical physicist, Radiopharmacist:• There is no formal training program for nuclear medicine technologists, medical physicists, Radiopharmacist in Vietnam• Sending them abroad or by just providing them informal local training within Vietnam

Hoan Kiem Lake - Hanoi