Recommendation for Surgical Oncologist in Chiang Mai?

[Tiny Thai]

Hi I just had a mammogram and ultrasound and they found a 4-5mm nodule with increased blood flow in one of my breasts. The doctor recommended that I speak with a surgeon to discuss what needs to be done but most likely they would do a biopsy and then surgery if necessary.

 

In the US, I know there are surgical oncologists (my friend is one and she is adamant about getting this type of specialist for anything oncological), but am not sure if that is a specialization here.  Either way, I'd like a recommendation of a surgeon to further discuss this issue.  Thank you very much.  I was inspired to post here based on a conversation about advice on the removal of an ovarian cyst and I'm hoping Sheryl will give her expert advice! 

[beau thai]

So sorry to read your post. Very best wishes. Sheryl gave me excellent advice last year and I had oncology surgery in Bangkok as a result. Successfully carried out in Bangkok by an excellent usa trained surgeon, Professor Chucheep. But different area of the body

I would suggest talking with Dr Rattiya at CM Ram, also usa trained, as oncologist/haematologist in the first instance. But I hope Sheryl can advise you on your choice of surgeon.

 

Feel free to pm me. 

 

There is also a very good support group here called Cancer Connect-chiang mai, run by usa/uk team, who are both supportive and knowledgeable about local medics etc.

 

 

[lipflipper]

Go Vegan, eat a plant based diet and whole foods diet from now on and your chances of living a long and healthy cancer free life are dramatically increased. Doubt my words, try researching on Google vegan diet and breast cancer.

Sent from my CMR-AL19 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[beau thai]

6 minutes ago, lipflipper said:

Go Vegan, eat a plant based diet and whole foods diet from now on and your chances of living a long and healthy cancer free life are dramatically increased. Doubt my words, try researching on Google vegan diet and breast cancer.

Sent from my CMR-AL19 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Please,please do not though use ANY so called alternative treatments as a substitute for medical care. I hate Big Pharma but they do have proven successful cures.

 

Advice from a good oncologist is more important than from posters, including me, on TVF.

[Rimmer]

Moved to Health Forum

[Tiny Thai]

3 hours ago, beau thai said:

So sorry to read your post. Very best wishes. Sheryl gave me excellent advice last year and I had oncology surgery in Bangkok as a result. Successfully carried out in Bangkok by an excellent usa trained surgeon, Professor Chucheep. But different area of the body

I would suggest talking with Dr Rattiya at CM Ram, also usa trained, as oncologist/haematologist in the first instance. But I hope Sheryl can advise you on your choice of surgeon.

 

Feel free to pm me. 

 

There is also a very good support group here called Cancer Connect-chiang mai, run by usa/uk team, who are both supportive and knowledgeable about local medics etc.

 

 

Dear Beau Thai for your advice and the recommendation of Cancer Connect- Chiang Mai.  I will certainly reach out to them. Glad to hear that your surgery went well.  Gives me something to aspire to.

[Sheryl]

You need a surgeon specializing in breast, niot just a generic surgical oncologist. Also, you do not yet know if it is cancer, and in fact the great majority of breast lumps are benign in which case no reason for an oncologist.

 

The 2 best breast surgeons that I know of are:

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Youwanush-Kongdan

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Mawin-Vongsaisuwon

https://ww2.bangkokhospital.com/index.php/en/find-a-doctor/doctor-profile/?id=440&doctor=Dr._MAWIN_VONGSAISUWON

https://www.bnhhospital.com/find-doctor/search-result/?dname=Mawin

 

(same doctor, different hospitals)

 

First is female, second male.

 

Prof. Youwanush is exceptional and would be my top choice. But be forewarned that Bumrungrad has taken to insisting people get mammograms there before seeing her, even if they have already had a mammogram done elsewhere. You MIGHT avoid this if you just call and make an appointment on the phone, you definitely will run into it if you try to make an appointment online.

[Tiny Thai]

14 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You need a surgeon specializing in breast, niot just a generic surgical oncologist. Also, you do not yet know if it is cancer, and in fact the great majority of breast lumps are benign in which case no reason for an oncologist.

 

The 2 best breast surgeons that I know of are:

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Youwanush-Kongdan

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Mawin-Vongsaisuwon

https://ww2.bangkokhospital.com/index.php/en/find-a-doctor/doctor-profile/?id=440&doctor=Dr._MAWIN_VONGSAISUWON

https://www.bnhhospital.com/find-doctor/search-result/?dname=Mawin

 

(same doctor, different hospitals)

 

First is female, second male.

 

Prof. Youwanush is exceptional and would be my top choice. But be forewarned that Bumrungrad has taken to insisting people get mammograms there before seeing her, even if they have already had a mammogram done elsewhere. You MIGHT avoid this if you just call and make an appointment on the phone, you definitely will run into it if you try to make an appointment online.

Thank you so much for your advice.  I will certainly look into it.  My office recommended seeing Aj. Areewan Somwangprasert at Sriphat Center. I have an appointment with her tomorrow afternoon, but I'll see if I can try to get in with Prof. Youwanuch as well. I'm trying to remain positive, but the doctor who did reviewed the mammogram and conducted the ultrasound said that she had to classify it as Class 4A - probably malignant based on how it looked, the increased blood flow and a family history of breast cancer. She did say that the surgeon could find otherwise. Again, thank you to everyone for your willingness to give advice.

[Sheryl]

Sorry just noticed the "Chiang Mai" part.

 

It is worth travelling to Bkk to be treated by Prof Youwanush (post above)  but only if biopsy comes back malignant. Get the biopsy in CM first. For that, I suggest:

 

Prof. Phanchaporn Wongmaneerun

Prof. Areewan Somwangprasert

Prof. Kirati Watcharachan

Prof. Panchaporn Wongmaneerung

Prof. Chagkrit Ditsatham

 

These are all specialists in breast surgery on faculty at CMU. Should be possible to see them at Sripat.

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

1 minute ago, Tiny Thai said:

Thank you so much for your advice.  I will certainly look into it.  My office recommended seeing Aj. Areewan Somwangprasert at Sriphat Center. I have an appointment with her tomorrow afternoon, but I'll see if I can try to get in with Prof. Youwanuch as well. I'm trying to remain positive, but the doctor who did reviewed the mammogram and conducted the ultrasound said that she had to classify it as Class 4A - probably malignant based on how it looked, the increased blood flow and a family history of breast cancer. She did say that the surgeon could find otherwise. Again, thank you to everyone for your willingness to give advice.

 

Our posts crossed, as you will see from mine above Prof. Areewan is indeed recommended.

 

Sometimes they will ask a patient to give consent for both biopsy and mastectomy or lumpectomy at the same time if they strongly suspect cancer. If proposed I suggest you not do this, insist on just biopsy first. If it is malignant they will usually next do scans to rule out metastasis since management depends on the cancer stage. 

 

Get the biopsy and if indicated scans in CM and get  Prof. Areewan's recommendation as to course of action and then take all the records to Prof. Youwanush and get hers, then proceed with whomever you feel most comfortable.

 

There is a huge cost difference, Bumrungrad will be about 3 times the cost of treatment at Sripat.So keep that in mind.  But for simple consultation/second opinion not bad, maybe 2000 baht.

 

 

[Tiny Thai]

On 6/12/2019 at 2:22 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Our posts crossed, as you will see from mine above Prof. Areewan is indeed recommended.

 

Sometimes they will ask a patient to give consent for both biopsy and mastectomy or lumpectomy at the same time if they strongly suspect cancer. If proposed I suggest you not do this, insist on just biopsy first. If it is malignant they will usually next do scans to rule out metastasis since management depends on the cancer stage. 

 

Get the biopsy and if indicated scans in CM and get  Prof. Areewan's recommendation as to course of action and then take all the records to Prof. Youwanush and get hers, then proceed with whomever you feel most comfortable.

 

There is a huge cost difference, Bumrungrad will be about 3 times the cost of treatment at Sripat.So keep that in mind.  But for simple consultation/second opinion not bad, maybe 2000 baht.

 

 

Hi Sheryl - this is very useful information.  I would much rather approach this slowing and fully understand what we are dealing with than to go in hacking.  Thank you to you and everyone who have been so kind and have volunteered information.