Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital

Chapter 546 - 422: Inactivation and Reimplantation of Autologous Tumor Bone and Heavy Ion Proton Therapy (Part 2)

"Will the bone still be alive after taking it out for treatment and putting it back?"Wu’s father asked with some confusion and apprehension.

"Generally speaking, for extinguishing tumor cells in isolated bone, there are methods such as liquid nitrogen, hypertonic saline, and microwave, but these methods cause significant damage to the remaining normal bone cells."

"Recently, the medical department at Yanjing University acquired a heavy ion proton instrument that can be used to precisely eliminate tumor cells. If combined with these treatments, the chance of survival for the transplanted remaining normal bone becomes relatively high. Of course, with this experimental treatment, no one can guarantee a hundred percent success."

Zhao Heng explained.

Upon hearing this, Wu’s father was not the only one stunned by the mention of heavy ion protons; even the resident, trainee, and intern doctors were bewildered.

"Director Zhao, could you please explain it again?"

Wu’s father continued, impressed by the methods used by the director, methods that tumor doctors he had seen previously had never mentioned.

This reignited some hope in Wu’s father’s heart.

"Heavy ions and protons are both particle beams, different from traditional photon beams. Particle beams can form an energy Bragg peak that allows concentrated blasting of the tumor, reducing damage to healthy tissue cells."

"Put simply, the previous tumor treatments were like carpet bombing with bombers, while heavy ion and proton therapy is akin to precision strikes with guided missiles."

Zhao Heng tried to explain in the simplest terms.

When protons or carbon ions are accelerated to about 70% of the speed of light via a synchrotron, these ion beams are directed into the human body. Before reaching the tumor site, little radiation energy is released, but once at the site, a significant amount of energy is released instantaneously, creating an energy release trajectory known as the ’Bragg peak.’ The entire treatment process can be likened to ’stereotactic blasting’ targeting the tumor, removing the maximum number of tumor cells while minimizing damage to normal tissues.

"Director Zhao, can this treatment really avoid amputation?"

Wu’s father couldn’t help asking.

He knew that for his daughter, the most unacceptable thing was amputation.

"This method avoids amputation, but since it’s still in the experimental stage, it’s uncertain whether it will succeed."

Zhao Heng nodded.

"Dad, I want this treatment."

Before Wu’s father could speak, the young girl Wu Yiming said determinedly. For a girl in her prime, especially a top national skiing athlete, amputation was too cruel.

One could say she would rather die than be amputated!

"Director Zhao, we’ll entrust this to you. No matter the outcome, we’re willing to give it a try."

Upon hearing his daughter’s words, Wu’s father made up his mind. Since his daughter didn’t want amputation, there was no way he could bear to see her lose a leg.

"The surgery will require some preparation time; during this period, it’s good to maintain a calm mindset and take care of your health as best as possible."

Zhao Heng said.

"Okay, we understand, Director Zhao."

Wu’s father nodded; clearly, he was well-acquainted with the world and understood that they could only try their best in such situations. At least, while other tumor doctors had no solutions, Zhao Heng proposed a new treatment method here.

Having hope is good. Wu’s father could only feel this way now.

At this moment, the residents, trainees, and intern doctors standing behind looked at Zhao Heng with admiration in their eyes.

Previously, these new young doctors may have doubted the capabilities of the equally young Zhao Heng, but now those doubts were completely dispelled.

The treatment plan Zhao Heng mentioned, combining the two methods, was something they had never even heard of.

Outside the ward, Liu Meng, who was by Zhao Heng’s side, suddenly said worriedly, "Director, borrowing that heavy ion proton therapy machine from Yanjing University won’t be easy. A previous patient from the oncology department wanted to try this treatment but couldn’t schedule it."

"No problem, I have some connections at Yanjing University."

Zhao Heng said.

"Right, it’s Professor Li Hongwei. How could I forget that?"

Liu Meng suddenly remembered that Zhao Heng and Professor Li Hongwei had co-developed siRNA colloid beams. Their relationship was quite extraordinary. For others, borrowing the heavy ion proton therapy machine might be extremely difficult, but for Professor Li Hongwei, the Vice President of Yanjing University, it was just a matter of saying the word.

"Soon, the candidates from the open recruitment will arrive."

Zhao Heng said slowly.

"I heard there are four candidates this time, are they coming together?"

Liu Meng asked.

"Not four. All those who pass the written test will come to work in the department for a short period as a trial, and then four will be chosen based on their performance."

Zhao Heng corrected Liu Meng.

"Was this the director’s suggestion to the hospital?"

Liu Meng figured this must have been proposed by Zhao Heng to the hospital. Zhao Heng, being such a young talent, highly valued efficiency and capability, naturally did not want people who excelled in exams but lacked ability.

Even though now medical PhDs, graduate, and doctoral courses are mostly completed in hospitals, essentially involving clinical exposure,

in reality, individuals have different focal points, and some people’s clinical skills truly leave much to be desired.

"The department is about to expand further, urgently needing a group of people with practical working capability. If a few come in who only have high expectations but low skills, it’s better not to recruit them."

Zhao Heng said.

Though the words might sound harsh, that’s the reality. Given the fierce competition nowadays, almost all industries demand people who can start working immediately. No one has the resources or time to slowly train newcomers.

Take the residents, trainees, and intern doctors for example; up to now, Zhao Heng still hadn’t discovered anyone worth focusing on for intensive training.

"That’s true."

Liu Meng nodded in complete agreement; given the severe internal competition, there is a sense of urgency, leaving no time for gradual nurturing.

Leaving the ward, Zhao Heng headed to the oncology department.

In the oncology department’s doctor’s office, Zhao Heng shared his idea of autologous inactivated tumor bone replantation and heavy ion proton therapy with Li Haiyang, whose eyes instantly lit up.

"How do you always come up with so many solutions?"

Li Haiyang asked, admiringly looking at Zhao Heng. As a doctor, Zhao Heng’s flexible and keen thinking was something he envied the most.

"They just come to mind, it’s no big deal."

Zhao Heng said nonchalantly.

"Maybe that’s what being a genius is. But that heavy ion proton therapy apparatus at Yanjing University is quite precious. Last time, one of my patients wanted to use it but couldn’t get a slot. When they finally did, a component was broken, and they had to wait for the factory to send a replacement."

Li Haiyang sighed.

Currently, there is still a significant gap between domestic and international advanced medical equipment. Take this cutting-edge heavy ion proton therapy machine, for example—it’s only available through import and people only teach you how to use it.

As for understanding the specific principles or manufacturing methods, sorry, that’s a strictly guarded business secret that shouldn’t be expected to be revealed; after all, it’s their bread and butter.

"I’ll contact Professor Li Hongwei. It shouldn’t be too difficult."

Zhao Heng said.

"That’s the advantage of having connections."

Li Haiyang said enviously.

Though he could be said to be a significant insider at Eastern Hospital, mainly because his teacher was the hospital’s director,

this was something he had earned after working with his teacher for over a decade, unlike Zhao Heng, who seemed to progress as if he were on a plane.

"When it’s time for surgery, it will be necessary for you to be the main surgeon."

Zhao Heng said casually.

Even though he could perform the tumor surgery, it was apparent that Li Haiyang was also highly skilled in this area, and extracting a tumor bone wasn’t particularly difficult.

"Sure, no problem, I’d love to."

Li Haiyang replied with a smile, he knew Zhao Heng approached him because of his inclusive nature, not being one to hog opportunities.

This experimental surgery, especially in the oncology specialty, was a rare and valuable opportunity for an oncologist like Li Haiyang.