Skin Biopsy

[pop3]

Having had skin cancer in the past and now possibly having it again I now want to have a biopsy to determine what is going on. I was quoted 6,400 baht at Bangkok Pattaya, I thought this expensive so I went to see a friend who I know has had many skin biopsy's at Bangkok Pattaya to ask him how much he was charged, he showed me his paperwork from the hospital and he was charged 1,000 bht for every biopsy he has had, a big difference for the same skin biopsy ?

Today I went to Queen Siriket hospital Sattahip to inquire how much for a skin biopsy there, the reply was we don't take anybody in here now that is not Thai military, Thai military family's or Thai military familys friends !

I replied I have been here many times before and you have my medical files here, the reply was that was the past followed with a repeat of, ( we don't take anybody in here now that is not Thai military, Thai military family's or Thai military's familys friends ! )

Anybody have any resent experience of Siriket ?

Edited March 10, 2008 by pop3

[pop3]

Im not sure if no reply to the Siriket question is a sign that no farang are going there anymore or not ? the old saying no news is good news comes to mind.

[h90]

keep in mind, that it depends much on the person who is doing it. So I recommend to also educate yourself on that topic.

[Sheryl]

This is then first I've heard of it, but as it is a military-affiliated hospital, it is certainly possible.

In terms of cost, there are 2 charges involved in a biopsy: the fee of the doctor who removes the specimen and the fee of the pathologist who reads the slide. While the first, depending on where you go and how big/deep the lesion being removed is, might possibly cost as little as 1,000 Baht, the pathology part will certainly nbe more than that unless you are in a government hospital (and even there I don't think you'll get the whole bit for only 1,000).

You can get this done for less than BPH quoted but probably not less than 3-4,000 inclusive of both charges.

I should add that the pathology part is time-consuming, if it is done with the care it should be, and that it requires a doctor with extensive specialty training. So there is justification for it costing more. It's not like a blood test where a technician enters the sample into a machine. A highly trained person had to examine the specimen by microscope at some length.

[doctormann]

Queen Sirikit Hospital, Sattahip:

The rumour about this hospital not accepting non-Thai patients (as opposed to only accepting military personnel, families and friends) has been around for some time. This may be the intention in future but I can speak from my own very recent experience.

Jan 22, this year, I broke a bone in my right ankle (thank you Pattaya City Hall for doing such an admirable job of maintaining pavements / sidewalks in a safe condition - not!) and attended Pattaya Memorial hospital for emergency treatment. I have nothing against the emergency care that I received there - apart from the cost - but became concerned when they wanted to delay further treatment for two weeks.

I went to the Queen Sirikit hospital for a second opinion. I had no trouble whatsoever getting to see an orthopaedic surgeon there and the treatment was speedy and effective and cost a small fraction of what I would have paid at Pattaya Memorial. I subsequently attended again for a check-up and again today to have the plaster cast removed and the ankle re-x-rayed. Everything was fine - now I just have to learn to walk again.

So, unless this hospital has very recently changed it's policy it would seem that it is still quite normal for non-Thai patients to be treated there. It is possible that there are restrictions when it comes to 'elective surgery' - I'm not saying that a skin biopsy falls into this category - but I cannot confirm this. Certainly for normal stuff things still seem to be as they have been in the past.

DM

[pop3]

I should add that the pathology part is time-consuming, if it is done with the care it should be, and that it requires a doctor with extensive specialty training. So there is justification for it costing more.

.............................

Yes I can see that and agree with you about the extensive specialty training, but if the specialist can do that for 1,000 bht then it means the doctor pushing the skin sucking implement very similar to the solder sucking implement that TV repair guys use to remove solder from a circuit board, (all over in one or two clicks) would be charging 5,400 bht

Now if he's charging that for the clicking procedure how much for the real job of cutting it out ? heaven forbid I would need a stitch, I don't think it would only be my skin getting stitched up ?

[Sheryl]

I should add that the pathology part is time-consuming, if it is done with the care it should be, and that it requires a doctor with extensive specialty training. So there is justification for it costing more.

.............................

Yes I can see that and agree with you about the extensive specialty training, but if the specialist can do that for 1,000 bht then it means the doctor pushing the skin sucking implement very similar to the solder sucking implement that TV repair guys use to remove solder from a circuit board, (all over in one or two clicks) would be charging 5,400 bht

Now if he's charging that for the clicking procedure how much for the real job of cutting it out ? heaven forbid I would need a stitch, I don't think it would only be my skin getting stitched up ?

I think you misunderstood me. the part I said might be possible for as little as 1,000 was what you refer to as the "clicking procedure". The pathology would cost at least twice that, hence my estimate of at least 3-4,000 for the total at a minimum.

BTW, depending on the lesion many doctors will just go ahead and do a full removal (for example, if it is a mole) so as to avoid the need for a second procedure if the results come back malignant. Saves time and money.

[Orion76]

In terms of cost, there are 2 charges involved in a biopsy: the fee of the doctor who removes the specimen and the fee of the pathologist who reads the slide.

Don't forget #3, follow up visit to get the result and having the stitches removed

pop3 - Skin cancer is a serious matter. I wouldn't bargain shop for a biopsy, especially if you have already had a malignant mole removed in the past.

[Sheryl]

Orion is correct. Another point to consider is that it can be difficult to find a dermatologist with much experience in skin cancer in Thailand since the incidence is low in Asians. If you are able to find such a doc it is worth paying a little more.

In prior threads several posters spoke highkly of a Dr. Anna at BPH.