From 09 to 11 January 2014, Associate Professor Quah Thuan Chong and Associate Professor Allen Yeoh Eng Juh, both of whom are senior consultants at the Division of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology at the Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH), will come to FV Hospital on a working trip. The two doctors will collaborate with doctors from FV Hospital’s Paediatrics Department to offer consultations to youngsters suffering from common and dangerous childhood cancers:

Acute leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells)
This cancer often affects children aged from two to five years old and causes symptoms such as erratic fever which may not be relieved by antibiotics, fatigue, inactiveness and pale skin. In its later stages, the disease can cause symptoms such as anaemia, hemorrhaging, infection, an enlarged liver, an enlarged spleen and enlarged lymph nodes.

Neuroblastoma (a cancerous tumour which develops in the nerve tissue)
Tumours of this cancer can detected by local symptoms such as headache and abdominal bloating, irritability and fatigue. In some cases, patients may experience a need to urinate frequently without being able to pass much urine, and urinary tract disorders. In other cases, children might present with constricted pupils, droopy eyelids or a reduction in the ability to produce sweat.

Retinoblastoma (a cancerous tumour of the retina)
This cancer commonly occurs in children under three years old and causes a white colour in the pupil. The white colour is particularly visible when a flash photograph is taken, or when eyes move from side to side. In its later stages, children may develop symptoms such as a squint, nephroblastoma (childhood cancer of the kidneys), haematuria (the presence of blood in the urine), high blood pressure and abdominal tumours.

If your child has any of the symptoms or signs above, contact FV Hospital’s Paediatrics Department by calling (08) 5411 3408 or book an appointment online for a consultation with the visiting NUH doctors.

Associate Professor Quah Thuan Chong is a senior consultant and head of the Division of Paediatric Haematology–Oncology at the Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH) and vice president of Arc Cancer Care Support Centre. He has over 30 years of experience in research into paediatric haematology and oncology, on the application of molecular genetics approaches to leukemia, and on the application of DNA technologies in the treatment for paediatric leukemia. He was the first doctor to perform a bone marrow transplant in Singapore with good results and is now among the leading doctors in Asia in the field of childhood leukemia and haematology.

Associate Professor Allen Yeoh Eng Juh is a senior consultant and assistant professor at the Division of Paediatric Haematology–Oncology at the Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH). He has over 30 years of experience in research into childhood haematology–oncology and is a leading doctor in Singapore and Asia in the field of childhood leukemia.

When childhood cancers are detected early, fewer therapies are needed for treatment, which means fewer side effects, less toxicity and fewer complications, the length of treatment is reduced, and patients have a better chance of making a complete recovery. In addition, the effectiveness of childhood cancer treatment may be greater when it is given by highly experienced paediatric oncologists with the assistance of the most modern equipment and technologies. Thus, childhood cancer treatment from the cooperative programme between FV Hospital and National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH), opens up more opportunities for children to benefit from the world’s most advanced treatment techniques.
In complicated cases, patients requiring treatment options or surgical procedures currently unavailable in Vietnam will receive assistance in arranging flights and exit procedures to Singapore for treatment. Under this cooperative programme, patients can save up to 30 per cent on their travel and surgery costs in comparison with going to Singapore to undergo treatment independently. For further information on consultations and treatment under the cooperative programme, please call us at (08) 5411 3431 – 5411 3333.

In addition to offering consultations and treatment to young patients at FV Hospital, the two NUH specialists will take part in two seminars:
Symposium for doctors and medical staff
Time: 13:00 – 17:00 on Friday, 10 January 2014
Venue: Auditorium Room, third floor , F Building, FV Hospital
Topic one: Bone marrow transplant
Presented by: Associate Professor Allen Yeoh Eng Juh
Topic two: Neuroblastoma (cancerous tumour of the nerve tissue) and retinoblastoma (a cancerous tumour of the retina)
Presented by: Associate Professor Quah Thuan Chong
To attend the symposium, please contact Mr. Ngo Kien Duc by dialling 0903 055 357 or via email at duc.ngo@fvhospital.com.

Healthy Living with FV public seminar
Topic: EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD CANCERS
Time: 09:00 – 12:00 on Saturday, 11 January 2014
Venue: Hotel Continental Saigon, 132-134 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCMC
By attending the Healthy Living with FV workshop held jointly by FV Hospital and National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH), you will have the chance to better your knowledge on three of the most common childhood cancers – retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma and leukemia – and receive advice on the best options to ensure early detection and the most effective treatment results.
Schedule:
09:00 – 9:30: Welcome guests (refreshments will be served)
09:30 – 10:15: Effective treatment options for paediatric cancers: Retinoblastoma and neuroblastoma, presented by Associate Professor Quah Thuan Chong
10:15 – 10:30: Questions and answers
10:30 – 11:00: New developments in childhood leukemia treatment, presented by Associate Professor Allen Yeoh Eng Juh
11:00 – 11:15: Questions and answers
The seminar is free to attend. To register your attendance, please call (08) 5411 3333, ext. 1336.