"How can I be cured of breast cancer without losing my body image?"

That question from a female patient became the inspiration for an award-winning research project led by Dr. Nguyen Cong Huy, a specialist in the Breast Surgery Department at K Hospital in Hanoi.

Dr. Huy and his colleagues spent years searching for an answer.

"That question motivated us to look for advanced surgical techniques that not only treat breast cancer effectively but also help women preserve their confidence after surgery," he said.

The team subsequently conducted a study evaluating the long-term cosmetic outcomes and quality of life of patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction using the TRAM flap technique.

The research followed 113 breast cancer patients treated at K Hospital between 2018 and 2023 and received the Outstanding Award at the hospital's 2026 Young Science and Technology Conference on July 10.

Improving life after cancer treatment

According to Dr. Huy, advances in breast cancer treatment mean that more patients are living healthy lives for many years after diagnosis.

As a result, the goal of treatment is no longer limited to prolonging survival but also includes preserving patients' quality of life and self-confidence.

The research team performed immediate breast reconstruction using the patient's own abdominal tissue during the same operation in which the entire breast was removed.

Unlike conventional approaches that primarily cover the surgical defect, this technique reconstructs a new breast designed to match the shape and size of the remaining breast.

Although the procedure has been widely adopted in many countries, it has not been commonly performed in Vietnam because of its technical complexity and the need for highly specialized surgical teams.

The study found that more than 80% of patients achieved good or excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Patients reported an average satisfaction score of 72 out of 100 on an internationally recognized quality-of-life assessment that has been adapted for use in Vietnam, indicating a significant improvement in long-term well-being after treatment.

Two goals in one operation

Dr. Huy said another advantage of the technique is that it uses excess fatty tissue from the abdominal wall, an area where many middle-aged women also seek cosmetic contouring.

"The operation achieves two goals at the same time: breast reconstruction and abdominal contouring. That is one of the reasons patients report higher satisfaction after treatment," he said.

To date, K Hospital has performed nearly 300 immediate breast reconstruction procedures using the technique.

The procedure is highly specialized, requires strict patient selection and is generally recommended for women with early-stage breast cancer.

Patients undergo comprehensive evaluation and counseling before deciding whether the procedure is appropriate for them.

According to Prof. Le Van Quang, director of K Hospital, the greatest value of medical research lies in addressing real clinical challenges and responding to patients' needs.

"Every question raised during patient care has the potential to become a research topic that advances medical techniques, improves treatment quality and strengthens the standing of Vietnamese medicine," he said.

Phuong Thuy