Cancer treatment in Thailand

[medic5678]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

Actually this is not at all sure from what you say. All that is known is a mass present with lymph node involvement, and even that should be taken with a grain of salt unless/until a specialist has reviewed the scan (the radiology reports one with a scan here  aren't worth the paper they are printed on).  I have seen several cases where supposed lung masses turned out not to be present at all. And even if a mass is present, there are other potential causes besides cancer.

 

And if it is lung cancer, cannot stage it without getting liver, bone and brain scans done.

 

 

 

 

'At this point, I'm hoping it is only a simple stage 3.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  I haven't actually seen the scan myself, but the report sure seemed pretty thorough.  Stage 3 is the most common in terms of initial diagnosis.

[medic5678]

They're sending her to a hospital in Nakon Sawan for a full workup on Wednesday.  I'm surprised that she's apparently going to get decent care.  We'll know a lot more by the end of this week.    

[sas_cars]

5 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

It is by no means a given that there are "better" medications that would make a difference compared to what she will receive in the government system.  Most likely not.

 

Private chemo and radiation would run to millions of baht, and likely nto give any better outcome than treatement through the government system.

 

As mentioned what you can help with that would matter - and will also fit within your budget - would be:

 

travel costs

private room

paying privately for scans if there owuld otherwise be a long wait (often the case)

 

 

What about cancer treatment for a foreigner with thai social security insurance? Is it covered?

[ChipButty]

4 hours ago, medic5678 said:

They're sending her to a hospital in Nakon Sawan for a full workup on Wednesday.  I'm surprised that she's apparently going to get decent care.  We'll know a lot more by the end of this week.    

From what I know now regarding cancer treatment they do have some good hospitals they seem to be right on it, My wife had the operaation here in Phuket but for all the treatment, Chemo and Radio she was able to go to Bangkok to one of the cancer hospitals there you can go private pay extra save having to be there at 5 am to get a ticket in the que.

It was cheaper for us to fly up the day before stay one night get the Chemo the following day and fly back to Phuket and be home before the Chemo kicked in.

I must say ALL the doctors and nurses where fantastic even to this day my wife can call them at any time.

When she had the Radio treatment she had to stay there for 30 days that treatment was everyday.

Dont worry to much at this stage, 

[Sheryl]

6 hours ago, sas_cars said:

 

What about cancer treatment for a foreigner with thai social security insurance? Is it covered?

 

Yes

[Sheryl]

9 hours ago, medic5678 said:

'At this point, I'm hoping it is only a simple stage 3.  Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  I haven't actually seen the scan myself, but the report sure seemed pretty thorough.  Stage 3 is the most common in terms of initial diagnosis.

Is this a report from a specialist or just the scan report?

[medic5678]

3 hours ago, ChipButty said:

From what I know now regarding cancer treatment they do have some good hospitals they seem to be right on it, My wife had the operaation here in Phuket but for all the treatment, Chemo and Radio she was able to go to Bangkok to one of the cancer hospitals there you can go private pay extra save having to be there at 5 am to get a ticket in the que.

It was cheaper for us to fly up the day before stay one night get the Chemo the following day and fly back to Phuket and be home before the Chemo kicked in.

I must say ALL the doctors and nurses where fantastic even to this day my wife can call them at any time.

When she had the Radio treatment she had to stay there for 30 days that treatment was everyday.

Dont worry to much at this stage, 

How much did this cost you?

[jaideedave]

On 2/13/2021 at 9:38 AM, ChipButty said:

I guess it depends where she lives and what facilities they have in the area, International hospitals is going to cost you a small fortune in Bangkok there is a superb cancer hospital sorry I would have to ask the wife the name of it, 

If the cancer operation is not bad enough then along comes Chemotherapy and Radio.

That Chemo is a killer I thought my wife was going to die on me one night I kept her awake allnight had the A/C on freezing walking her around sit on the computer for a while, I was worried, 

Strange feeling when in the morning the sun is coming up shinning through the windows and she survived the night you can breath a sigh of relieve, put the kettle on and make a cup of Tea,

I forget to add, I bought a few of them cold towels from 7/11  

I had prostrate cancer a few years ago...The <deleted> surgeon refused to remove the colostomy bag after I was stabilized for well over a year unless I had chemo.

I refused because after the operation I had Renal failure..(kidney) So now its plan "B" and instead I had the PET Scan at a prestigious hospital in BKK. A daughter of the late King is named here.

I came out clean as a whistle so called in a favor and  had the removal procedure done at a teaching hospital in BKK by a top ,notch Dr.

I do believe I was one of the lucky ones though. I have the CEA Blood test done every 6 months and my last test was 1.3...  

One day at a time..                                                        

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, medic5678 said:

They're sending her to a hospital in Nakon Sawan for a full workup on Wednesday.  I'm surprised that she's apparently going to get decent care.  We'll know a lot more by the end of this week.    

Why surprised? The Thai Public Health system works quite well.

 

Nakon Sawan is a regional hospital so higher level capacities. However not a cancer hospital so if after full workup chemo or radiation is needed she might still be referred onward.

[lopburi3]

22 minutes ago, medic5678 said:

How much did this cost you?

Can not answer for poster but can perhaps provide some perspective re using government doing self payment compared to using a top private hospital.   If I had been able to obtain operation in top government hospital for cystectomy w/ileal conduit with payment cost would have been about 80,000 plus room/some medications expense in 2016 and cost at private hospital was a bit over one million baht all told so about 10x the cost.  So as said there is no reason to pay for private facility but if long delay in referral for treatment paying at a government hospital may be an option (although she may still have to wait queue for some procedures).

[ChipButty]

45 minutes ago, medic5678 said:

How much did this cost you?

Im not sure as my wife dealt with it, it was nothing compared to the international hospitals in Phuket Chemo started at 100k baht even blood test in Phuket was 3500 baht a time then mammogram 8500 baht, thats just to start with,

 

I should have added the cost of Chemo was given to us before they had decided which one she needed it started at 100k upto 450k baht when you add the cost of a room about 3500 baht per day,  OMB 

Edited February 15, 2021 by ChipButty

[Ireland32]

On 2/13/2021 at 10:51 AM, longball53098 said:

The total from start to end is a guesstimate but the 16 day stay in hospital for the surgery and recovery was about 1 million THB but add in all the various testing and chemo/ radiation and such maybe another million. 

I had appendectomy with Septic Shock because it burst 1.2 million baht , Crazy money 

[SomchaiCNX]

First of all to whom (japan something) replied with a smiley on the OP first request for information, this is not funny. Our Saga started about 14 years ago. Diagnosis liver cancer and nothing they could do. Did have to fight with my wife, sister and father in law as the doctors word is like the law. I paid them money (65K)and she went to the private part of that hospital for tests. After a week we got the results, stage 01 still possible to operate. She went back to social security ward and underwent a 10 hrs+ operation for free. 5+ years ago same thing but with her longs. We went for a herbal treatment first that reduced the tumor (doctors could not believe it) after that she got an operation again at her longs. She came to CNX for follow ups that are actually worthless, no tests sometimes an X-ray but mostly just a chat with the doctor and the patient with no clue what he/she is talking about. Last May they finally did new test after insisting for months but it was to late, she past away Jul 25. ????  I'm just telling don't believe BS answers or not so clear explanations and fight for her rights even if your wife does not agree with you, she is trained to obey and believe what doctors say . If necessary, pay for a second opinion from the private part of the same hospital and act accordingly. At the end she got a lot of morphine and we asked the doctor what we could do stop her suffering. The doctor was nice enough to explain but was not allowed to help. An hour or so after we removed all the support she passed. I'm happy that I went against all of them and could keep her with us for another 13+ years. I'm a little angry that I could not help her at the end because yet again, her own family did not tell me the complete story when I asked for more information. They did not want me to make a problem again. ???? 

[gamini]

On 2/13/2021 at 10:47 AM, medic5678 said:

What did all this cost you?  I wonder if there are treatments for Thai citizens a tier above government expense, which would be affordable and produce a better outcome.  

Rama hospital in Bangkok is at best hospital in Thailand. It's a public one. It has better facilities than Bumrungrad. But the waiting and hanging around is a bit hard. I had a major operation and cost about 1/5 of a private hospital. At government hospitals they don't load you with unnecessary medicine or carrying out unnecessary tests..

[Stevemercer]

As others have advised, your money will really help the family if you use it to speed up any diagnostic scans and tests (if necessary), to pay for a private room at whatever public hospital she is treated (so the family can stay and look after her, as well as giving her some privacy and dignity), and to help with travel and accommodation costs.

 

She should be able to get competent treatment under the free government system. I just mention that I have known 2 people who paid extra under the government system to bring forward their operation. Both were for cancer. The money (70,000 - 100,000 Baht) was to pay for the surgeon and his team to do the operation on a Sunday at the hospital. I'm not saying this is necessary, but it might be worthwhile exploring if there seem to be delays in operating (e.g. if there is a long waiting list for the type of surgery needed).

[pacovl46]

On 2/13/2021 at 2:00 AM, medic5678 said:

My mother in law just had a CT done and it shows a mass with mets to lymph nodes.  She is a poor Thai woman and I am wondering what our treatment options are and what they will cost if I pay for health care at a cancer treatment center.  Anyone with information and experience, your input is much appreciated.  I am sure this is a death sentence, but I would like to make her more comfortable and extend her life to give her quality time.   I am sending her daughter and granddaughter to Thailand so they can be with her through the summer.   

Have her daughter google this herbal medication. It’s compatible with the traditional cancer treatments and apparently it works really well.  GPO PHYTOPLEX 

 

 

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by pacovl46

[ChipButty]

2 hours ago, gamini said:

Rama hospital in Bangkok is at best hospital in Thailand. It's a public one. It has better facilities than Bumrungrad. But the waiting and hanging around is a bit hard. I had a major operation and cost about 1/5 of a private hospital. At government hospitals they don't load you with unnecessary medicine or carrying out unnecessary tests..

My wife also said Chulalongkorn is a good hospital

[Letseng]

On 2/13/2021 at 2:20 AM, ezzra said:

Jut seen on Aussie Tv the other day how they are doing miracles with terminal stricken cancer people whereby the re rejuvenate and re energize the white blood cells in a laboratory setting and re inject it back to patient and many, astonishingly, has gone to remission and are now cancer free, of course, thees things are light away from happening in Thailand as i'm gut wrenchingly witnessing the demise of a dear friend who is also in dire predicament owing to aggressive breast cancer that has now metastasize to all over her body...

I know r people in Bkk who underwent cancer treatment for colon, breast & stomach cancer.

All had a very good outcome. Stomach cancer was stage 3. Treatment side effects were unpleasant. But 6 years later the patient is alive and well. Treatment was at BNH, some at Samitivej Srinakarin. 

My husband is presently undergoing treatment for early prostate cancer. A PET scan was the 1st thing done. Then MRI, CT scan. All on gov. healthcare which he gets based on UK S1 form. Actual treatment is radiation. No side effects.

[Letseng]

On 2/15/2021 at 12:44 PM, ChipButty said:

My wife also said Chulalongkorn is a good hospital

Chula is good. You need patience and you should be able to speak Thai or have a Thai speaker with you.

[lopburi3]

9 hours ago, Letseng said:

Chula is good. You need patience and you should be able to speak Thai or have a Thai speaker with you.

Actually Chula is regarded by most as a top general hospital but is not cancer specific.  They also have long had an after hours pay service available used by many foreigners (but believe still best to have Thai speaker for initial registration)

[medic5678]

She went to the hospital in Nakhon Sawan, where they did multiple thoracentesis and removed quite a bit of blood each time.  She is much more comfortable, since the thoracic shift is much improved.  They were told the blood would be tested and it would take 2 weeks.   They said she definitely has lung cancer, but did not stage it or do a PET Scan.  She only saw a hospital physician, not an oncologist.  I only wish I could get her to America for treatment!  

[medic5678]

It is a metastatic pulmonary effusion.  Very bad prognosis.  They are going to give her radiation in an attempt to prolong her life a bit.  No surgery, it's beyond that.  Sending wife and daughter back to Thailand to be with her until the end.  Very sad time in our house.

[Sheryl]

Sorry to hear this. Quite possible that the lung lesions are nto the primary cancer but rather a metastasis fro ma primary tumor elsewhere such as the ovary. Ovarian cancer often ,metastasizes to the lung and is also often symptomless in earlier stages.

 

Her family should definitely contact the palliative care group in Lampang, see my prior post.

[medic5678]

On 2/20/2021 at 1:55 AM, Sheryl said:

Sorry to hear this. Quite possible that the lung lesions are nto the primary cancer but rather a metastasis fro ma primary tumor elsewhere such as the ovary. Ovarian cancer often ,metastasizes to the lung and is also often symptomless in earlier stages.

 

Her family should definitely contact the palliative care group in Lampang, see my prior post.

Wife is leaving in for Thailand this week.  Of course, the quarantine doesn't help.  I would like to get medical marijuana for my mother in law to help her appetite and maybe help her gain a little weight (typically a battle for cancer patients).   I can give her a good couple of months without worry, that's a realistic goal.  I've told my wife not to worry about anything and to spend lavishly on her.   We're going to buy her a few baht of gold when my wife gets to Thailand.  They're going to go visit Temples and do the things Thai women love to do.

[medic5678]

My wife is in her 2nd day of quarantine now in Pattaya, I think.  I guess the government is using hotels sitting empty because there's no tourism at all now.  She flew back on a Thai repatriation flight and they took her from Bangkok airport to quarantine by bus.  Her mom is in the hospital now.   Things don't appear to be going well.  Just hoping she lasts until my wife and daughter can see her again.  This entire thing has been an absolute heartbreaker.   We just built an awesome house to give her mother some golden years.  We finished the house, mom moved in and got sick 2 days later.   When I saw the scan report, my mouth hit the floor.   My wife and her family didn't understand how serious it was but I made my wife go to Thailand asap.  I didn't want her to regret it later if she didn't go.  So my wife is sitting in quarantine, essentially paralyzed for 14 days.  She's talking with her mom using LINE, but it's not the same as seeing her in person.  This whole thing has been horrible.  It teaches me to just be grateful for every day of health you have.  The thing to hope for now is just some decent quality time for my wife, daughter and mother in law.  We are asking for prayers that this happens.

[ChipButty]

7 hours ago, medic5678 said:

My wife is in her 2nd day of quarantine now in Pattaya, I think.  I guess the government is using hotels sitting empty because there's no tourism at all now.  She flew back on a Thai repatriation flight and they took her from Bangkok airport to quarantine by bus.  Her mom is in the hospital now.   Things don't appear to be going well.  Just hoping she lasts until my wife and daughter can see her again.  This entire thing has been an absolute heartbreaker.   We just built an awesome house to give her mother some golden years.  We finished the house, mom moved in and got sick 2 days later.   When I saw the scan report, my mouth hit the floor.   My wife and her family didn't understand how serious it was but I made my wife go to Thailand asap.  I didn't want her to regret it later if she didn't go.  So my wife is sitting in quarantine, essentially paralyzed for 14 days.  She's talking with her mom using LINE, but it's not the same as seeing her in person.  This whole thing has been horrible.  It teaches me to just be grateful for every day of health you have.  The thing to hope for now is just some decent quality time for my wife, daughter and mother in law.  We are asking for prayers that this happens.

Good luck if thats the right thing to say at this moment, before my wife got cancer we didn't really know anybody with cancer now we seem to know of some one every month, a good friend  of my wife's her husband died last week only 49 years old, he only lasted about 3 months from starting treatment it seemed like his whole body just collapsed,

Now I seem to know loads.

[ChipButty]

7 hours ago, medic5678 said:

My wife is in her 2nd day of quarantine now in Pattaya, I think.  I guess the government is using hotels sitting empty because there's no tourism at all now.  She flew back on a Thai repatriation flight and they took her from Bangkok airport to quarantine by bus.  Her mom is in the hospital now.   Things don't appear to be going well.  Just hoping she lasts until my wife and daughter can see her again.  This entire thing has been an absolute heartbreaker.   We just built an awesome house to give her mother some golden years.  We finished the house, mom moved in and got sick 2 days later.   When I saw the scan report, my mouth hit the floor.   My wife and her family didn't understand how serious it was but I made my wife go to Thailand asap.  I didn't want her to regret it later if she didn't go.  So my wife is sitting in quarantine, essentially paralyzed for 14 days.  She's talking with her mom using LINE, but it's not the same as seeing her in person.  This whole thing has been horrible.  It teaches me to just be grateful for every day of health you have.  The thing to hope for now is just some decent quality time for my wife, daughter and mother in law.  We are asking for prayers that this happens.

She must be pulling her hair out, so near yet so far away I hope the quarantine hotel is ok, not like the one a guy posted about on Thaivisa the other week it was appalling 

[snowballthecat]

On 2/13/2021 at 9:56 AM, lopburi3 said:

Having cancer myself have come to the conclusion that life extension drug treatments are not cost effective for myself so prepared to meet end a few days earlier when alternative operative methods are no longer available.  Believe suffering/pain is more of a concern than the extra month(s) or so drugs may provide.  We all seem to die so making that as pain free as possible seems to be a better goal.

 

I did try targeted liver cancer medication for a month - not happy with it (or the medical used car sellers push to use it) but do understand some may not have as bad reactions as others when taking.   As for cost the special drugs can run very close to US prices in private treatment hospitals.  

Oh Lopburi3, I m glad you are fine at the moment, I also understood wrongly you are experiencing some sort of cancer now, but thanks God, you are cancer free!

We all have to die, the only thing we don't know it is when....

wishing you all the very best!