Associate Professor Tran Vinh Hung, director of Binh Dan Hospital, speaks at the 2026 European Standards Workshop on Urological Pathology in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, June 20, 2026. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre
The figures were presented at the 2026 European Standards Workshop on Urological Pathology hosted by Binh Dan Hospital.
Associate Professor Tran Vinh Hung, director of the hospital, said data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2022 database showed that the three most common urinary tract cancers — prostate, bladder and kidney cancers — accounted for more than 10,000 new cases annually in Vietnam.
As a specialized urology center, the hospital treats more than 30,000 outpatient visits related to urological cancers each year and performs more than 5,000 cancer surgeries, mainly for prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers, Hung said.
In 2025, the hospital analyzed more than 25,700 pathology specimens, including over 6,200 related to urological cancers.
Pham Phu Phat, head of the hospital’s Urology A Department, said prostate cancer has been detected more frequently in recent years, accounting for a large share of surgical cases at the hospital.
He attributed the increase to improved diagnostic capabilities, longer life expectancy, and greater public awareness of prostate health, which has encouraged more men to seek medical examinations.
Phat said no single cause of prostate cancer has been identified, but family history remains the clearest risk factor.
Men whose fathers had prostate cancer face a significantly higher risk of developing the disease than the general population, he said.
He recommended that men begin prostate cancer screening at around age 50, while those with a family history of the disease should consider screening from about age 40.
Environmental factors such as chemical exposure, diets high in red meat, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption are also considered risk factors, although they have not been proven to be direct causes of the disease, he added.
According to Phat, only about 20 percent of patients are diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment with robotic surgery can offer a high chance of recovery.
The remaining 80 percent are diagnosed at later stages, reducing the likelihood of successful treatment and affecting both survival and quality of life.
Phat also said treatment decisions in many healthcare facilities remain influenced by the technical capabilities available at individual hospitals, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.
Doctors at the conference advised men aged 40 to 50 and older to maintain healthy lifestyles, including weight control, balanced diets, limiting tobacco and alcohol use, and seeking regular health screenings.
