"Yes, yes, that's it."

The middle-aged man nodded repeatedly.

"Doctor, can I still have another surgery?"

After a pause, the middle-aged man asked again.

He had already undergone surgery seven times. He harbored a deep fear of surgery, but his legs were covered in "branches," the skin cracked and fissured. If they were not surgically removed, these "branches" would continue to grow constantly, pulling at the nerves, making every moment unbearable with pain.

"Given your condition, having undergone so many surgeries already, another surgery would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. For now, let's have you hospitalized and start with some medication and treatments to alleviate your symptoms. We'll see later if there's a fundamental treatment available."

Zhao Heng considered and said.

For this patient, the surgery isn't particularly difficult; it's about removing the lesions on the surface of the leg skin, followed by skin grafting.

However, the patient had already had such surgery seven times. Repeating it once more would eventually lead to recurrence, and if it recurs again, there's a significant risk of facing the possibility of amputation.

"Thank you, doctor, thank you."

The middle-aged man expressed his gratitude repeatedly, surprised that Zhao Heng would admit him. He initially thought that if even Zhao Heng refused him, he would have to return to his hometown and give up hope on further treatment.

At worst, as another doctor had previously suggested, when there's truly no alternative, he could opt for amputation.

But that would be a last resort that no one prefers to accept willingly.

"Have him admitted."

Zhao Heng said to Tian Zhen, who was standing nearby.

"Okay, Dr. Zhao."

Tian Zhen nodded and took the middle-aged man and his wife to arrange for hospitalization.

As the "tree man" patient was being admitted, Zhao Heng fell into contemplation.

Regarding epidermodysplasia verruciformis, the medical field currently lacks specific treatment methods. Generally, treatments reference those for warts. When the warts are still relatively small, techniques like electrodessication and curettage can remove smaller lesions.

When lesions on the skin surface grow larger, treatments like liquid nitrogen freezing, laser, and microwave therapy can be used, and even X-ray irradiation, though excessive X-ray exposure can severely damage skin and potentially lead to cancer.

This means that current treatments for epidermodysplasia verruciformis focus solely on lesion removal.

The fundamental cause of epidermodysplasia verruciformis is the abnormal expression of the EVER1/EVER2 genes on chromosome 17.

Therefore, to truly address the root cause, gene-directed targeted therapy, directly altering the expression of the EVER1/EVER2 genes on chromosome 17, is essential to fundamentally solve the problem.

Thinking of this, Zhao Heng realized that his current experience lacks in-depth research on gene-targeted therapy.

Mostly, it's just superficial understanding. If actual treatment is to be provided, there might be significant difficulties.

Thinking about it, Zhao Heng realized he'd likely need to find a professor specializing in gene-targeted therapy, similar to how he previously sought out Professor Li Hongwei for relevant gene-targeted treatment techniques.

Coincidentally, Zhao Heng planned to visit Professor Li Hongwei tomorrow to assist with an experiment, providing a perfect opportunity to inquire about who in North City is the most advanced in gene-targeted therapy research.

Soon, the middle-aged man returned after completing the admission procedures, and Zhao Heng prescribed the treatment regimen.

In the office.

Tian Zhen couldn't help but say to Zhao Heng, "Dr. Zhao, today's patient is another complex case that other doctors can't handle. Treating these patients is mentally exhausting."

Since coming to the ward, Tian Zhen observed that Zhao Heng mainly admitted patients whom other hospitals wouldn't, or for whom solutions were nonexistent.

Treating such patients requires immense physical and mental effort from the doctors, often resulting in thankless work.

"There's no choice; if I don't admit them, nobody else will."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng replied with a gentle smile.

Truthfully, clinically, there are many patients who seem like thankless cases to doctors. These patients might have rare diseases or complex conditions.

For these patients, some doctors might choose not to admit them.

Because even if they do, the painstaking treatment may prove ineffective, possibly counterproductive.

Being a doctor is already a complex job, and some prefer not to add more complications.

"Specializing in complex cases is really exhausting."

Tian Zhen sighed.

Although these tasks inevitably require someone to undertake them, choosing to do so often means a mismatch between effort and reward.

"Someone has to do it, and don't you think treating these patients is particularly challenging? The sense of achievement after curing them is incredible."

Zhao Heng smiled again and said.

"Dr. Zhao, your aspirations are very high."

Tian Zhen remarked.

Doctors like Zhao Heng aren't nonexistent; many doctors of the previous generation had similar ideals.

However, among young doctors, those who think like Zhao Heng are relatively rare.

Simply put, today's younger generation tends to focus more on aspects like work-life balance, compensation, and career prospects.

"Everyone should have some ambition; otherwise, what's the difference between them and a salted fish?"

Zhao Heng stated.

He could say this now, unlike before when he barely managed to make ends meet.

Back then, if someone offered him a gatekeeping job with a monthly salary of seven or eight thousand, he would have taken it, regardless of whether it related to his specialty.

Of course, his current income is quite satisfactory, both from his primary and secondary practices, and he's on the verge of financial independence, paving the way for broader ambitions.

"Dr. Zhao, I think your future accomplishments may go beyond just being a doctor."

Tian Zhen abruptly remarked.

Since the surgery room, Tian Zhen had been observing Zhao Heng, who seemed different from any doctor he had encountered.

He had an intuitive feeling that Zhao Heng might become a doctor of great significance, even in an era where being considered "great" is rare.

Of course, using the term "great" now might be a bit exaggerated.

Currently, any doctor, generally, doesn't quite earn the description of "great."

"A doctor is just a doctor. Ultimately, the job is about treating and saving people; there's no simple way about it."

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Heng merely smiled and said indifferently.

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