“Sa-bai-dee!” (Hello in Lao) I’m R. Matsubara from the Laos office.
In Vientiane, we are advancing the Pediatric Solid Tumor Perioperative Technical Transfer Project (hereafter, “Pediatric Cancer Project”), with an initial surgical activity planned for July. Ahead of surgery, we conducted training on performing a biopsy at the children’s hospital, a procedure never before performed there. This is an activity report for June 2025.
Meeting Our First Patient
The Pediatric Cancer Project initially struggled to identify eligible patients due to economic barriers preventing many children from accessing medical care. Then, in February 2025, we received news from our local partner, the National Children’s Hospital, of a patient suspected of having nephroblastoma (a pediatric kidney tumor) one of the project’s target diseases.
The patient was a baby boy named Sonsai, just two months old. His mother noticed severe abdominal swelling and took him to a local hospital, which referred them to the children’s hospital for treatment. At admission, his stomach was distended from the renal tumor, and seeing his fragile little body stirred in us a deep desire to support him.
Sonsai and his mother at the hospital
A First Ever Biopsy at the Children’s Hospital
Doctors at the children’s hospital and Japanese specialists discussed diagnosis and treatment strategy. The Japanese team emphasized that a biopsy collecting tissue under anesthesia is essential for accurate diagnosis and safe, effective treatment.
Since tumors in the kidney are often difficult to identify based on blood tests or imaging alone, biopsy becomes a critical tool. However, performing a preoperative biopsy entails medical equipment, time, cost and in Laos, the economic burden on families usually precludes such procedures. Even the hospital staff had never performed one.
To address this, we invited pediatric surgeon Dr. K. from Kyushu University Hospital. He provided technical guidance on safely performing a tissue biopsy for diagnostic purposes as a preparatory step for future treatment and surgery.
Because this was the hospital’s first-ever biopsy, all local medical personnel approached it with great care. On the first day, Dr. K. led ultrasound instruction for Lao physicians and gave lectures on the purpose and procedure to medical staff involved in the biopsy.
The participants were fully engaged, knowing this skill could be utilized beyond this project in the future at the children’s hospital.
Dr. K. providing ultrasound guidance
Dr. S., Head of Pediatric Oncology, observing the patient
(Above) Focused during the lecture (Below) Smiling together after the session
All Together Toward Surgery
The next day, the biopsy took place. Dr. K. and Dr. S., the hospital’s surgical director, entered the operating room and guided the procedure step by step while safeguarding Sonsai’s safety.
The biopsy involved ultrasound-guided fine-needle tissue sampling. In the OR, Dr. K. and Dr. S. confirmed the entry site with ultrasound. They took care to explain needle handling and functionality carefully.
Anesthetists, nurses, and medical interns in the OR all observed keenly some even recorded video demonstrating their serious commitment to learning.
Examining the biopsy route with ultrasound
Dr. S. performing a biopsy under Dr. K’s guidance
The biopsy was successful, and Sonsai was able to return home the following day. Based on the analysis of the tissue, doctors confirmed the diagnosis of nephroblastoma. A tumor removal surgery is now scheduled for July when Japanese specialists return to Laos.
In the meantime, chemotherapy that was already underway continues to shrink the tumor and treat any possible undetected cancer cells preventing recurrence or metastasis. Sonsai continues to grow each day, and his resilience gives us courage in preparing alongside him.
Sonsai during the biopsy – growing day by day
A Significant Step for the Future of Healthcare in Laos
Thanks to Dr. K’s instruction, it is now possible for future biopsies to be performed at the hospital under remote guidance from Japan a breakthrough that enables more timely, accurate diagnoses and faster initiation of appropriate treatment.
Doctors at the children’s hospital also shared their optimism: even if the procedure remains financially difficult now, they believe that in the future, routine biopsies can become part of preoperative care, enabling safer and more appropriate treatment. This is a vital milestone in the advancement of healthcare in Laos.
We feel reinvigorated by our Lao medical staff’s passion and commitment to improving healthcare in their country they are true partners in this journey.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the team from Kyushu University and all the Japanese doctors who have supported the Pediatric Cancer Project—and to everyone who continues to support our work. We sincerely appreciate your backing for our efforts in Laos.
R. Matsubara, Laos Office