#Vietnam #Hanoi #Oncology Guidelines #NCCN Cancer Care #Vietnam National Cancer Hospital

Expanding Cancer Care in Vietnam

In a significant move to enhance the quality of cancer care in Vietnam, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has recently formalized an agreement with the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital) and the Vietnam Cancer Association (VCA). This partnership builds upon their longstanding collaboration focused on improving the standards of oncology treatment through the integration of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

The newly signed agreement takes the collaboration several steps further, introducing three additional NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) Adaptations specifically tailored for the Vietnamese context. These guidelines cover critical areas of hematologic malignancies, including B-cell lymphomas and Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as thyroid carcinoma, expanding upon previous guidelines that addressed a variety of solid tumors such as breast, colon, gastric, and prostate cancers.

Significance of the New Guidelines

Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of NCCN, emphasized the ongoing goal of this partnership. She stated, "The collaboration with Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital ensures that people with cancer in Vietnam receive timely, consistent, and high-quality care." This collaboration not only combines global expertise with localized insights but also tailors recommendations to the specific needs and realities of the Vietnamese healthcare system. The introduction of these adaptations is particularly crucial, as lymphomas are among the most frequently diagnosed blood cancers globally.

The NCCN Guidelines® Adaptations for Vietnam are meticulously crafted to reflect the distinct resources available in Vietnam, clinical practice patterns, and regulatory frameworks when compared to the original guidelines developed for the United States. Each guideline comes with a color-coded system indicating general viability, aspirational options based on cost or technical challenges, and effective alternative treatments when standard care might not be accessible.

Collaboration with Local Experts

The guidelines were developed through a close collaborative effort with leading Vietnamese oncology specialists, ensuring thorough regional representation from Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam. Prof. Le Van Quang, Director of the Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, highlighted the importance of adapting these guidelines to align with resources and medical practice conditions in Vietnam. He noted that these guidelines will serve as a vital resource for oncologists nationwide, supporting them in making well-informed treatment decisions for patients.

The signing of this agreement took place at the Best of ASCO 2026 conference, held in Hanoi, which gathered over 400 participants, including a significant number of international experts. During this event, NCCN representatives engaged in educational sessions aimed at further disseminating evidence-based practices in oncology. Several prominent NCCN Guidelines Panel Members, including Dr. Jaffer A. Ajani from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Dr. Meena S. Moran from Yale Cancer Center, also participated in these discussions.

About NCCN and its Global Initiatives

The NCCN is renowned for offering more than 90 international adaptations of its guidelines and has over 180 translations of related materials available for free access online. It operates on the fundamental mission of providing effective, equitable, and high-quality cancer care worldwide.

The Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, established as K Hospital in 1969, serves as Vietnam's foremost cancer treatment facility. With a history dating back to the Indochina Radium Institute, it stands as a critical resource for comprehensive cancer care, leading initiatives in training, research, and technical support for its provincial partners.

Likewise, the Vietnam Cancer Association fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals dedicated to enhancing cancer prevention and treatment. Its efforts focus on improving scientific research and establishing standardized clinical guidelines for better health outcomes.

Together, these organizations represent a formidable alliance in advancing cancer care in Vietnam, striving to improve the quality of life for patients living with cancer.

For more details on NCCN and its global efforts, please visit NCCN.org/global.