Prostate cancer treatment in Pattaya hospitals viable?

[mran66]

My brother most probably will get diagnosis of prostate cancer ( high PSA, lump in prostate based on manual examination), and for all practical purposes he will not end up being treated in his current country of residence, practical options being treated being our home country, or Thailand.

He has insurance that should cover the treatment in full.

 

For practicalities would be more convenient in Pattaya as could stay with me and I could provide the support during the treatment, and distance to hospital small,

 

Question is about capabilities in Pattaya hospitals in this area - anybody have experiences either own or of friends who would have had prostate cancer treatments in Pattaya (BPH as primary candidate I guess); are their capabilities OK, or better look for either Bangkok or home country, even if the 'home support' would be more challenging in those?

 

In general, what are the top hospitals in Thailand in this area, I would expect some in Bangkok?

[carlyai]

This doesn't directly answer your question, but just gives a pointer on what a good specialist and dr can do. This didn't happen in Thailand.

 

Last year I had a tumor removed from my kidney by a specialist using the robot. Evidently the robot (vids on Utube I think) is preferred for smaller tumors and is more precise and you heal quicker.

While I was recovering I came in contact with several people having prostrate surgery using the robot. One guy was telling me his prostrate cancer was cut out from inside the prostrate and left him with a functioning prostrate, the only removed the cancerous bit and left the rest. I think it was a week or 2 that he was stayed in Sydney then flew back to NZ. He didn't have insurance and cost him roughly AusDollars 30,000.

So if you can find a hospital that uses a robot, this may be the best way to go.

 

 

[Sheryl]

There is no "top hospital".  In all hospitals doctors vary by their capabilities and it is the selection of doctor that matters most.

 

One thing you/he should be aware of is that there are a wide range of approaches to treating prostate cancer and some of the newer ones have limited  availability in Thailand. (Robotic surgery for example - not available at all in Pattaya and only one team of doctors that I know of offhand doing it in Bangkok).

 

As it sounds like he does not live in Thailand and has the option of getting treated in his home country, assuming this is a Western country with decent medical care, I see no advantage to being treated here and potential disadvantages. He is more likely to get state of the art care if he returns home.

 

 

[canopus1969]

I can thoroughly recommend Dr Niti at the BPH – he sorted out my Prostate Cancer as good as any Doctor/Hospital anywhere (and not just in Thailand!)

[bkk6060]

My friend just died of it after it spread.

He went to BPH last year for surgery.  Spent the last money he had here over 200,000 b.  In addition to removing his Prostate, they chopped off his testicles.  He later questioned if the later was necessary.  I do not know.

 

Anyway,  like Sheryl said maybe home country would be better.  For sure, that is what I would do.

 

 

[mran66]

Thanks for comments. Seems this is something that can not be conluded prior to detailed diagnosis based on mri and biopsy and consequent treatment alternatives. 

 

Benefit of Thailand esp Pattaya would be close proximity of hospital from home. In home country hospitals are far from home facilities in case such would be needed for longer treatment. 

[law ling]

Not recent, but when I got it six years ago, BPH were able to do a biopsy, but told me I'd have to go to Bangkok for operative treatment.

 

As noted by Sheryl, there are now a whole range of treatments (e.g. different kinds of radiation) which may not all be available in this country, and different types of scans that can better determine the spread, beyond the gland, if any.

 

I dare say any surgeon could remove the gland and destroy all the erectile nerves in the process, so in the hope of sparing nerve damage, the robotic system seems preferred, if removal is justified.

 

Best wishes.

[uhuh]

Its not the "robot" that matters. 

It's the surgeon who uses the "robot" that matters.

 

And this thing is not a robot,  anyway.