Recommend Hospital for Oncology in Bangkok

[Paddy Wall]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for advice on hospitals in Bangkok that would have a very good Oncology team, I am specifically looking for chemo and hormone treatment to be carried out here but would also like to hear peoples experiences with radiotherapy here in Thailand. In fact any advice on the level of Cancer treatment here in Bangkok. 

 

Greatly appreciate all the advice I can get.

 

Thanks, 

 

Paddy 

 

 

[lopburi3]

Bangkok Hospital has a dedicated cancer hospital attached which should have full facilities.  I have had PET/CT scan done there.

https://ww2.bangkokhospital.com/wattanosoth/web/en/site/cancer_care_excellence/detail/43

[KiChakayan]

Yes Wattanosoth, Bumrungrad and Sirijaj Private offer an extensive choice of (over)treatment. But Malaysia, Singapore, Australia aren't too far away either. Communication remains problematic with most Thai doctors, not only because of their lack language skills, they can have quite an attitude.

[Sheryl]

You need to choose the doctor not the hospital.

 

Also please indicate if you have insurance or abundant savings as care like this in a private hospital will run into millions of baht.

[emptypockets]

4 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Bangkok Hospital has a dedicated cancer hospital attached which should have full facilities.  I have had PET/CT scan done there.

https://ww2.bangkokhospital.com/wattanosoth/web/en/site/cancer_care_excellence/detail/43

PET scans are fun aren't they? Go to check for cancer and what do they do - fill you up with a radioactive sugar solution.

[lopburi3]

8 hours ago, emptypockets said:

PET scans are fun aren't they? Go to check for cancer and what do they do - fill you up with a radioactive sugar solution.

As I recall sat in lounge chair with elevator music within individual shielded enclosure and had IV for the radioactive material. 

But a bit more fun than the normal contrast CT with Fleet enema they now give you on scanner and ask you to hold it in; and then more time as want a delayed CT scan a few minutes later.  Quick trip to WC after.

[Paddy Wall]

On 8/12/2019 at 9:02 AM, Sheryl said:

You need to choose the doctor not the hospital.

 

Also please indicate if you have insurance or abundant savings as care like this in a private hospital will run into millions of baht.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Hi Sheryl, no I don't have insurance so am self pay. Have allowed for the very high cost I face but given the seriousness I just want to get the best treatment. Who would you recommend in terms of a doctor / hospital?

 

I have a friend who has been treated at Chulabhorn Hospital for a late stage Cancer and she is extremely happy with the treatment there. Any comments on this hospital? Thanks very much to all. 

[Sheryl]

Chulabhorn is in general a good choice for domeone who is uninsured.

But would help to know what type of cancer as that makes a difference. Colirectal cancer for example I would refer to Dt. Chucheep at Chula.

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[Paddy Wall]

23 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Chulabhorn is in general a good choice for domeone who is uninsured.

But would help to know what type of cancer as that makes a difference. Colirectal cancer for example I would refer to Dt. Chucheep at Chula.

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Thank you very much Sheryl, its Prostate Cancer.

 

I can pay private so if Chula is only good if no funds / no insurance then I can go elsewhere no matter the cost. I did start this journey with a Urologists at Bumrungrad (not Dr. Viroj) and whilst the hospital and staff were amazing, especially the diagnostics etc., I wasn't overly happy with the Doc. If you were to recommend Dr. Viroj can I swap doctors or does that create a problem for me? 

 

The treatment plan has already been laid out by the Oncologists back home in Europe where I was diagnosed, its just so that I can work and be with my family here in Thailand whilst getting treatment. The plan in a nutshell is Hormone Therapy once a month, Chemo for 6 cycles followed by some radio therapy. 

 

Anyway if you could recommend or advise I'd be very grateful, if Chula is ok then great as I have a friend there who is extremely happy. Thanks very much

[lopburi3]

It should not be an issue changing doctors at private hospital.  Not recommended if you can avoid but I went through 7 urologists in the last 3 years (4 in same hospital) and was sent to two other hospitals/urologists for operation so have experienced it.  

 

[Paddy Wall]

16 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

It should not be an issue changing doctors at private hospital.  Not recommended if you can avoid but I went through 7 urologists in the last 3 years (4 in same hospital) and was sent to two other hospitals/urologists for operation so have experienced it.  

 

Thanks Lopburi, its good to know that it can be done if needed, I always worry about creating a loss of face here...

[lopburi3]

14 minutes ago, Paddy Wall said:

Thanks Lopburi, its good to know that it can be done if needed, I always worry about creating a loss of face here...

A valid concern but you can always counter that you do not want your friend who recommended 'other' doctor to lose face by not trying.  Best way to do is perhaps to get appointment on day the other doctor is not working.  That was the actual case with one of my changes.

[grantbkk]

My Thai girlfriend's mother was sick in one of those public hospitals in Chaing Mai back in February. I had her taken to Bumrungrad where they discovered she had stage 4 cancer spreading throughout her body. With no treatment she had 3 to 6 months to live and guaranteed a painful death.

After 6 months of many treatments including chemotherapy (5) and several hospital stays she just had her checkup last Sunday and it was all good news. I was not optimistic in the beginning but now I think have been witness to a modern miracle.

There are many types of cancer and just as many types of treatment options which are not cheap. What is a human life worth?

Mama's primary physician is Assistant Professor Pairaya Rujirojindakul, M.D. Five Stars.

Good luck.


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[Paddy Wall]

16 hours ago, grantbkk said:

My Thai girlfriend's mother was sick in one of those public hospitals in Chaing Mai back in February. I had her taken to Bumrungrad where they discovered she had stage 4 cancer spreading throughout her body. With no treatment she had 3 to 6 months to live and guaranteed a painful death.

After 6 months of many treatments including chemotherapy (5) and several hospital stays she just had her checkup last Sunday and it was all good news. I was not optimistic in the beginning but now I think have been witness to a modern miracle.

There are many types of cancer and just as many types of treatment options which are not cheap. What is a human life worth?

Mama's primary physician is Assistant Professor Pairaya Rujirojindakul, M.D. Five Stars.

Good luck.


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Thanks v much grantbkk thats very encouraging. May I ask how much the chemo was per dose? I see in Chula a single dose (of the latest type) is around 70k THB so am looking at the differences with somewhere like Bumrungrad. 

 

One thing I always fear here is the private hospitals like to keep you in almost perpetual care, or is that a myth? 

[grantbkk]

When she had chemotherapy each time was an average of an 8 day hospital stay. Several treatments and medicines we going on during that time. I'd say it was Baht 500 to 600K each stay. Everyone is different so the treatments and costs will vary. She had a very aggressive type of cancer that had nested in several places. It was treating the cancer in the bones and organs and a lot of specialized scans were involved.

I suspected perpetual care might be the case but she is currently home on her own with a checkup coming in 6 weeks.

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[timendres]

My experience at Samitivej Sukhumvit 49 was extraordinary, and it is chosen almost exclusively by Japanese expats. But as many have indicated, the doctor is your primary consideration.

[Sheryl]

16 hours ago, Paddy Wall said:

Thank you very much Sheryl, its Prostate Cancer.

 

I can pay private so if Chula is only good if no funds / no insurance then I can go elsewhere no matter the cost. I did start this journey with a Urologists at Bumrungrad (not Dr. Viroj) and whilst the hospital and staff were amazing, especially the diagnostics etc., I wasn't overly happy with the Doc. If you were to recommend Dr. Viroj can I swap doctors or does that create a problem for me? 

 

The treatment plan has already been laid out by the Oncologists back home in Europe where I was diagnosed, its just so that I can work and be with my family here in Thailand whilst getting treatment. The plan in a nutshell is Hormone Therapy once a month, Chemo for 6 cycles followed by some radio therapy. 

 

Anyway if you could recommend or advise I'd be very grateful, if Chula is ok then great as I have a friend there who is extremely happy. Thanks very much

 

It is not a problem to change doctors at the same hospital.

 

The thing about Chulabhorn like all govt hospitals is that you cannot choose your doctor (at least nto through the public channel), much of the care will be given by residents in training and your face time with the senior docs will be limited. And of course long waits and other inconveniences.

 

Dr. Viroj is an excellent urologist. There is also this one   who specializes specifically in prostate cancer:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Sittiporn-Srinualnad

 

He can also be seen at Siriraj and will cost maybe 20% less there if at their private wing, a fraction of the cost if through their public channel (but long waits)

http://www.siphhospital.com/en/home

 

Whether Dr. Viroj or Dr. Sittiporn, these are urologists and will refer you to others for the chemo etc. But it needs a urologist to coordinate the whole thing.

 

 

 

 

[Paddy Wall]

19 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

It is not a problem to change doctors at the same hospital.

 

The thing about Chulabhorn like all govt hospitals is that you cannot choose your doctor (at least nto through the public channel), much of the care will be given by residents in training and your face time with the senior docs will be limited. And of course long waits and other inconveniences.

 

Dr. Viroj is an excellent urologist. There is also this one   who specializes specifically in prostate cancer:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Sittiporn-Srinualnad

 

He can also be seen at Siriraj and will cost maybe 20% less there if at their private wing, a fraction of the cost if through their public channel (but long waits)

http://www.siphhospital.com/en/home

 

Whether Dr. Viroj or Dr. Sittiporn, these are urologists and will refer you to others for the chemo etc. But it needs a urologist to coordinate the whole thing.

 

 

 

 

Thanks yet again Sheryl, your help is so much appreciated. I have made an appointment to see Dr. Viroj, just in preparation have you an approximate of what the costs will be, in terms of the chemo cycles at Bumrungrad? Thanks again

[Sheryl]

55 minutes ago, Paddy Wall said:

Thanks yet again Sheryl, your help is so much appreciated. I have made an appointment to see Dr. Viroj, just in preparation have you an approximate of what the costs will be, in terms of the chemo cycles at Bumrungrad? Thanks again

 

Can't say but very high.  Will depend on the exact meds but for chemo + hormone treatment I would be surprised if it did not top 1 million baht. In addition to the medication costs there will be consultations, chemo administration costs (if IV), lab tests etc.

 

You'll be able to get quote form the hospital.They tend to quote  on the high side, I guess because people get upset if the costs turn out to be more than expected.

[Paddy Wall]

16 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

Can't say but very high.  Will depend on the exact meds but for chemo + hormone treatment I would be surprised if it did not top 1 million baht. In addition to the medication costs there will be consultations, chemo administration costs (if IV), lab tests etc.

 

You'll be able to get quote form the hospital.They tend to quote  on the high side, I guess because people get upset if the costs turn out to be more than expected.

Thanks Sheryl, great to have a guideline before going in. Really appreciate your advice, its so helpful to us expats here in Thailand . Thank you.