Prostate Problems

[kennkate]

Hi I have a prostate problem one that as been ongoing for over 7 years that is to say my prostrate is enlarged a problem that seems to all to common in men of my age 67 started at 60.

at the moment I am in the UK with my Thia lady on a marrage Visa (Expires in Feb 2008)

On my return to the UK in Sept I had a Scheduled Hospital appointment to attend in oct at the appointment I was told my PSA was 12.1 and that the consultant wanted me to have a further PSA check in 6 weeks and another one at 6 weeks after that, and that he would see me soon after the second PSA check

I have now got a hospital appointment on the 3 Jan 2008

I have not married in the UK the lady in my life would like me to return to Thialand and live there

I have good Income from property investment and pension so life in Thialand would be fainancaly easy compared to the UK however I am no millionare

I think it would be wise to wait untill after my visit to the Hospital

It may be that I have to go for Biopsy have had them in 2000 twice both clear but that means my lady would have to return to Thialand alone before her visa expires, or get married here and pay for 2 year extention to her visa £395

If I come back to Thialand What is is the level of care and possible cost if i did have a positive result from biopsy ?

any advice or comments greatly apreciated. would be living near Chang Mia

[Sheryl]

Excellent level of care available in Bangkok, can't say regarding Chiang Mai. But it would cost you a pretty penny if you don't have insurance. Just the PSA and biopsy might be manageable but if the results show a malignancy treatment could cost a serious bundle. How much obviously depends on type of treatment and where done. As you may know there are a wide range of treatment options and each case is unique.

You could of course come to LOS, have the repeat PSA and biopsy here, get consultations on treatment options here, and then go back to the UK to get the treatment itself under the NHS. There is another thread going on right now on costs of prostate biopsy.

Also have been past threads on prostate cancer with recommendations for western-trained urologists and oncologists.

What was your PSA back in 2000 when you had the negative biopsies? 12 is quite high but if you've previously been near that range with negative biosies then it could just be benign hypertrophy.

[kennkate]

Excellent level of care available in Bangkok, can't say regarding Chiang Mai. But it would cost you a pretty penny if you don't have insurance. Just the PSA and biopsy might be manageable but if the results show a malignancy treatment could cost a serious bundle. How much obviously depends on type of treatment and where done. As you may know there are a wide range of treatment options and each case is unique.

You could of course come to LOS, have the repeat PSA and biopsy here, get consultations on treatment options here, and then go back to the UK to get the treatment itself under the NHS. There is another thread going on right now on costs of prostate biopsy.

Also have been past threads on prostate cancer with recommendations for western-trained urologists and oncologists.

What was your PSA back in 2000 when you had the negative biopsies? 12 is quite high but if you've previously been near that range with negative biosies then it could just be benign hypertrophy.

Thanks for that Sheryl I was thinking to stay until after Biopsy if that is what the doctor advises I dont have insurance and would not be coverd by it if got it now so looks like I have to stay in the UK untill I get the results of biopsy if doc says I would advise you to have them

I think PSA as been up and down quite a bit over the last 7 years so hopefully its just the result of enlarged Prostrate

[tim armstrong]

Hi I have a prostate problem one that as been ongoing for over 7 years that is to say my prostrate is enlarged a problem that seems to all to common in men of my age 67 started at 60.

at the moment I am in the UK with my Thia lady on a marrage Visa (Expires in Feb 2008)

On my return to the UK in Sept I had a Scheduled Hospital appointment to attend in oct at the appointment I was told my PSA was 12.1 and that the consultant wanted me to have a further PSA check in 6 weeks and another one at 6 weeks after that, and that he would see me soon after the second PSA check

I have now got a hospital appointment on the 3 Jan 2008

I have not married in the UK the lady in my life would like me to return to Thialand and live there

I have good Income from property investment and pension so life in Thialand would be fainancaly easy compared to the UK however I am no millionare

I think it would be wise to wait untill after my visit to the Hospital

It may be that I have to go for Biopsy have had them in 2000 twice both clear but that means my lady would have to return to Thialand alone before her visa expires, or get married here and pay for 2 year extention to her visa £395

If I come back to Thialand What is is the level of care and possible cost if i did have a positive result from biopsy ?

any advice or comments greatly apreciated. would be living near Chang Mia

Hi,

I've just been through the whole process. I had a routine check by my GP in Australia last year. PSA was 15. Referred to Urologist. He thought it might be prostatitis so tried medication. After a month PSA was 25. Referred for biopsy. Advanced local cancer diagnosed -Gleason score 4+4. Oncologist advises hormone therapy for 6 months then radiotherapy.

Commenced hormone treatment and returned to Thailand with my Thai wife. Most costs so far are covered by Aus. Medicare (your national health). Found a good private Dr. and Bangkok hospital via Sheryl and others, - to monitor psa and continue hormone treatment. This is Samitivej Hospital, Sukkumvit - Dr Thanoo Choovichian. Samitivej is not cheap but is world class. Costs about 1500 -4000 baht for each consultation and blood/PSA check, depending on how many tests you want.

Went back to Australia in July to commence radiation treatment. Had 39 outpatient treatments most days over 7 weeks. Almost no side effects except tiredness, and lost libido. treatments covered by Medicare. Our only costs were for some accomodation and airfares for my wife and I to and from Thailand. The same treatment at Samitivej would have cost about 750,000 baht.

We have now been back a month. First post treatment PSA check last week was 0.03 (the normal range is 0.00 - 4.00). So I'm very happy. I will have PSA checks every 3 months for a year then six monthly for another 4 years. If all is well after 5 years I'm in the clear.

I know you haven't been diagnosed with cancer, (and I hope you're not) But, if you are I would opt for checks, blood tests here, and treatment in UK, providing its covered by your national health. However, if costs are not an issue, I'd have no problems with treatment here.

One point to consider is that the prostate cancer prevalence rate is much higher amongst westerners than asian men. Therefore there is probably a lot more experience with prostate issues and treatment approaches amongst western doctors in general, or western trained doctors - in Thailand. Good luck, Tim

[kennkate]

Hi I have a prostate problem one that as been ongoing for over 7 years that is to say my prostrate is enlarged a problem that seems to all to common in men of my age 67 started at 60.

at the moment I am in the UK with my Thia lady on a marrage Visa (Expires in Feb 2008)

On my return to the UK in Sept I had a Scheduled Hospital appointment to attend in oct at the appointment I was told my PSA was 12.1 and that the consultant wanted me to have a further PSA check in 6 weeks and another one at 6 weeks after that, and that he would see me soon after the second PSA check

I have now got a hospital appointment on the 3 Jan 2008

I have not married in the UK the lady in my life would like me to return to Thialand and live there

I have good Income from property investment and pension so life in Thialand would be fainancaly easy compared to the UK however I am no millionare

I think it would be wise to wait untill after my visit to the Hospital

It may be that I have to go for Biopsy have had them in 2000 twice both clear but that means my lady would have to return to Thialand alone before her visa expires, or get married here and pay for 2 year extention to her visa £395

If I come back to Thialand What is is the level of care and possible cost if i did have a positive result from biopsy ?

any advice or comments greatly apreciated. would be living near Chang Mia

Hi,

I've just been through the whole process. I had a routine check by my GP in Australia last year. PSA was 15. Referred to Urologist. He thought it might be prostatitis so tried medication. After a month PSA was 25. Referred for biopsy. Advanced local cancer diagnosed -Gleason score 4+4. Oncologist advises hormone therapy for 6 months then radiotherapy.

Commenced hormone treatment and returned to Thailand with my Thai wife. Most costs so far are covered by Aus. Medicare (your national health). Found a good private Dr. and Bangkok hospital via Sheryl and others, - to monitor psa and continue hormone treatment. This is Samitivej Hospital, Sukkumvit - Dr Thanoo Choovichian. Samitivej is not cheap but is world class. Costs about 1500 -4000 baht for each consultation and blood/PSA check, depending on how many tests you want.

Went back to Australia in July to commence radiation treatment. Had 39 outpatient treatments most days over 7 weeks. Almost no side effects except tiredness, and lost libido. treatments covered by Medicare. Our only costs were for some accomodation and airfares for my wife and I to and from Thailand. The same treatment at Samitivej would have cost about 750,000 baht.

We have now been back a month. First post treatment PSA check last week was 0.03 (the normal range is 0.00 - 4.00). So I'm very happy. I will have PSA checks every 3 months for a year then six monthly for another 4 years. If all is well after 5 years I'm in the clear.

I know you haven't been diagnosed with cancer, (and I hope you're not) But, if you are I would opt for checks, blood tests here, and treatment in UK, providing its covered by your national health. However, if costs are not an issue, I'd have no problems with treatment here.

One point to consider is that the prostate cancer prevalence rate is much higher amongst westerners than asian men. Therefore there is probably a lot more experience with prostate issues and treatment approaches amongst western doctors in general, or western trained doctors - in Thailand. Good luck, Tim

Hi Tim It was nice to here you have got a good result from your treatment

I will wait in the UK untill after the next visit to the hospital on 3rd Jan and if refered for biopsy will take it from there

I have had biopsys twice so that dont worry me

costs in the UK are covered by the National Health so if required would have them here plus any treatment that may or may not be required

As for treatment if needed I was pleased to here you have had a good result with hardly any side effects from radiation treatment

Thanks again and all the very best for your future

Kind regards Ken

[Flow]

I know you haven't been diagnosed with cancer, (and I hope you're not) But, if you are I would opt for checks, blood tests here, and treatment in UK, providing its covered by your national health. However, if costs are not an issue, I'd have no problems with treatment here.

One point to consider is that the prostate cancer prevalence rate is much higher amongst westerners than asian men. Therefore there is probably a lot more experience with prostate issues and treatment approaches amongst western doctors in general, or western trained doctors - in Thailand. Good luck, Tim

I agree with you. In the UK it's the NHS so why pay loads of Bahts here when you can get it treated for free?

Edited November 16, 2007 by Flow