Basall Cell Carcinoma (BCC) treatment Thailand

[Felt 35]

I would be grateful for information from anyone who have had BCC treatment in Thailand, recommended doctors, recommended hospitals, success rate, cost`s etc.,

I have a option to get the surgery done in Europe but prefer to get back to Thailand Asap so would great to hear some experiences!

 

Thanks & Regards

Felt

[lopburi3]

BCC is the most common skin cancer but uncommon among Thai so few dermatologists have much experience but seems you require treatment rather than diagnosis and seems ointment such as Aldara is not an option.  Wide margin surgery is what I have had and cost was 25 to 30  thousand baht due being done by plastic surgeon (and this was some years ago).  For ongoing treatment recommendation has always been for Dr. Anna Jaruwarn at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, although I have not used her.

   

[Sheryl]

As above. You are better off having this done in Europe (treatment is simple and quick) but if you do it in Thailand, Dr. Anna at BPH is the best.

 

Cost here would depend on size of the lesion but at BPH roughly 14 - 20,000 baht inclusive of pathology exam. If it is large and in a location where appearance matters (e.g. face) possible would need a plastic surgeon to do the excision to minimize scarring and that would cost more.

 

The treatment usually involves just a single doctor visit, maximum 1 follow up visit so really should not delay your return here much.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

[Felt 35]

14 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

BCC is the most common skin cancer but uncommon among Thai so few dermatologists have much experience but seems you require treatment rather than diagnosis and seems ointment such as Aldara is not an option.  Wide margin surgery is what I have had and cost was 25 to 30  thousand baht due being done by plastic surgeon (and this was some years ago).  For ongoing treatment recommendation has always been for Dr. Anna Jaruwarn at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, although I have not used her.

   

Thanks for replying. I also got the message that it was a none dangerous skin cancer but that it could be trouble to remove it if gets to big. Btw, got diagnosed already in Europe (BCC on nose 10mm X 10mm)

Felt

 

[Felt 35]

13 hours ago, Sheryl said:

As above. You are better off having this done in Europe (treatment is simple and quick) but if you do it in Thailand, Dr. Anna at BPH is the best.

 

Cost here would depend on size of the lesion but at BPH roughly 14 - 20,000 baht inclusive of pathology exam. If it is large and in a location where appearance matters (e.g. face) possible would need a plastic surgeon to do the excision to minimize scarring and that would cost more.

 

The treatment usually involves just a single doctor visit, maximum 1 follow up visit so really should not delay your return here much.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

Thanks Sheryl, seems the price is nearly as in Europe. Appearance is not Important for me but to get it done and when I don't know I heard I couldn't be in the Sun for months after the surgery and I'm and outdoor pro activist so to lock me up indoor for months scare me more than the diagnose.

Felt

[CMoldie]

12 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

I'm and outdoor pro activist so to lock me up indoor for months scare me more than the diagnose.

Felt

I have had a skin cancer (a squamous cell carcinoma in my case) removed from my forehead. It was big enough to require excision by a plastic surgeon.

After treatment, I had to keep that out of the sun too. Once it has healed I put factor 50 sun block on it and wore a big, floppy sunhat with a brim all round all the time I was outdoors during the hours of daylight - even if it was only a minute or two.. I was fine - but you should check with your doctor.

Actually, I still do wear the sunhat all the time. I don't want another cancer to deal with.

[AGareth2]

I am being treated at PraMongutkhul hospital

the govt hospital army hospital

it has the national institute of dermatology

they have cryosurgery

also Viphavadi hospital on Ngamwongwan are very good with cryo

for my squamous cell c had it excised privately by a general surgeon and was covered by insurance

any more info pm me

[lopburi3]

I had my first BCC on nose in about 1980 and removed by surgeon at what was Bangkok Nursing Home and do no recall any great keep out of sun push (had a Mustang convertible during younger years so that likely did not help).  Had a second spot appear about 25 years later and again removed.  Was never much of an outdoor person but have spent a number of years in high sun areas without sunscreen (in New England we only used when at beach).  Do try to keep out of any direct sun these days. 

[Felt 35]

7 hours ago, AGareth2 said:

I am being treated at PraMongutkhul hospital

the govt hospital army hospital

it has the national institute of dermatology

they have cryosurgery

also Viphavadi hospital on Ngamwongwan are very good with cryo

for my squamous cell c had it excised privately by a general surgeon and was covered by insurance

any more info pm me

Thanks I will ask my better half to check with Pramongutkhul Hospital because of a family member working in the army and I think, but I don't remember names easily, but that its this hospital the family use for almost everything. Btw, and excuse my low knowledge about skin cancer but what is Squamous cell cancer?

Felt

[lopburi3]

It is another type of skin cancer and very common - a bit more aggressive than BCC but about the same treatment.  melanoma is the really immediate/big danger but fortunately much less common but why need to check any mole change sooner rather than later.

 

I say above as a fellow patient as have no medical training.

[Sparkles]

You didnt mention what area you are in. I am in Chiang Mai which has 2 excellent lady Dermatologists at RAM Hospital, Dr Varichaporn and Dr Chatbongkotch ,on their web site.

 

Growing up in Australia with blue eyes,fair hair, surfing ,sport ,never wearing a hat or sunscreen, it was unkown then, apart from white zinc on the nose.

 

I am now a chronic sufferer requiring treatment every 10 weeks.  Last visit 25 freezings, kerataosis, potential BCC's etc.

The first problem i had was at 38 yrs of age I am now 76. I do cover up but all the damege was done in my early yrs

 

I estimate well over 1,000 freezings (liquid nitrogen) dozens excised and 2 melanomas removed in Brisbane on my back, couldnt see them, my massage therapist said "see a Dr quickly".  

 

Its Russian Roulette if you dont get regular check ups and catch any problem early.I never have less than 10 done every visit, ie 100 min a year.

 

Over 2,000 people die in Australia every year from melanoma including 2 of closest friends

 

Depending on where you live suggest you look at web sites and ensure they are not only qualified but experienced .

 

Feel free to PM if I can assist 

 

 

[Felt 35]

On ‎5‎/‎28‎/‎2019 at 3:20 PM, Sparkles said:

You didnt mention what area you are in. I am in Chiang Mai which has 2 excellent lady Dermatologists at RAM Hospital, Dr Varichaporn and Dr Chatbongkotch ,on their web site.

 

Growing up in Australia with blue eyes,fair hair, surfing ,sport ,never wearing a hat or sunscreen, it was unkown then, apart from white zinc on the nose.

 

I am now a chronic sufferer requiring treatment every 10 weeks.  Last visit 25 freezings, kerataosis, potential BCC's etc.

The first problem i had was at 38 yrs of age I am now 76. I do cover up but all the damege was done in my early yrs

 

I estimate well over 1,000 freezings (liquid nitrogen) dozens excised and 2 melanomas removed in Brisbane on my back, couldnt see them, my massage therapist said "see a Dr quickly".  

 

Its Russian Roulette if you dont get regular check ups and catch any problem early.I never have less than 10 done every visit, ie 100 min a year.

 

Over 2,000 people die in Australia every year from melanoma including 2 of closest friends

 

Depending on where you live suggest you look at web sites and ensure they are not only qualified but experienced .

 

Feel free to PM if I can assist 

 

 

Thank you for replying. I have considered what do after many good recommendations here on Tv and will most likely return to Europe for a few weeks later this year and get it done there. I hate the travelling but my GP back home and the surgeon at a semi private hospital told me they want to do a surgery to make sure they get all of it removed because in their opinion the cryosurgery / freezing wasn't guaranteed 100% effective!

 

Felt.

[lopburi3]

As said the only sure removal is surgical with check of margins - but if properly done cryo can be very effective (but I have had done at a major hospital here and it was not effective or correctly performed so would be very careful of doctor doing procedure).  Surgery should not be a big problem here as pathology will confirm if all removed.

[Sparkles]

Surgery is not always required if the Dr is competent as I outlined with the 2 very experienced Doctors at RAM .

 

I am living proof of that but up to you.

 

If I had surgery every 10 weeks I would be a living mess and my bank balance would be non existent.

Cyro has always worked for me unless the Dr recommends removal which in once case she did.

 

8 years ago One BCC on the back of my left hand, later confirmed by pathology, was removed by a plastic surgeon, in private practice, who specialised in hand surgery.It was growing at a rapid rate to the point where it was pressing on a nerve and the size of a one baht coin ?

 

The one thing I have learned over the last 38 yrs  is regular check ups tend to cut off any problems  early in the process of any major, potential problem developing, you would be wise to follow up on that. All the best

[Felt 35]

5 hours ago, Sparkles said:

Surgery is not always required if the Dr is competent as I outlined with the 2 very experienced Doctors at RAM .

 

I am living proof of that but up to you.

 

If I had surgery every 10 weeks I would be a living mess and my bank balance would be non existent.

Cyro has always worked for me unless the Dr recommends removal which in once case she did.

 

8 years ago One BCC on the back of my left hand, later confirmed by pathology, was removed by a plastic surgeon, in private practice, who specialised in hand surgery.It was growing at a rapid rate to the point where it was pressing on a nerve and the size of a one baht coin ?

 

The one thing I have learned over the last 38 yrs  is regular check ups tend to cut off any problems  early in the process of any major, potential problem developing, you would be wise to follow up on that. All the best

Don't take me wrong as a soon to be patient I have no idea what is best but, and I think its a bit difficult to navigate in the medical system here where its so many hospital and doctors which could be good or not so good in their profession. But if I could have a surgery here with a recommended specialist on BCC surgery included a pathology exam for less than a flight ticket to 35- 40K I would do it here.

 

Felt

[lopburi3]

23 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

But if I could have a surgery here with a recommended specialist on BCC surgery included a pathology exam for less than a flight ticket to 35- 40K I would do it here.

Surgery can be done by normal surgeon as they will be aware of the need for a wide margin but plastic surgeon will likely have more experience (and cost more).  Expect would be less than 40k even using plastic surgeon - and could be much less with regular.