Where To Go For Treatment Of Leukemia

[Lance_A_Lot]

I have been diagnosed with a type of leukemia known as CLL, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Although I am symptomatic I am not yet considered to be at the point of needing treatment, the first step of which would be chemotherapy with the hope of going into remission. Blood tests reveal that I've had this for about two years. Symptoms are advancing and I would like to see the best hematologists available in Thailand.

My question is therefore, is there one hospital which is considered tops in the treatment of this malignant disease?

[Tammi]

Dear Lance,

I have personal experience of Dr Narin Voravud and Dr Udomsak at the Horizon Centre at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. There is also Dr Narongsak and Dr Surasit. All of these doctors have American training. Look up Bumrungrad Hospital on the internet and view their credentials and photos under Medicine, Oncology (cancer). Good luck.

[pop_corn]

I would say that the best oncology center in Bangkok is the one in samitivej... My sister struggled with cancer for 5 years, and we passed from BNH to Bumrungrad, (which I concider the worst)...and from there to Samitivej... pasing by many situations and doctors, I concider that the best prepared for emergency situations is Samitivej.. you should always look for at least 3 different opinions with doctors here.. you know that unluckily in Thailand there are many "mistakes" and then "cotot kha" you know.. so, this is your life, you should really take different opinions, and go for the best answer..

good luck!

[Sheryl]

Dear Lance,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

With leukemia you need not only an oncologist but a hematologist/oncologist. CLL is rare in Thailand so you'll want one who has studied and practiced in the West. As you probably know, this is going to be a long haul and it is important that you find a specialist who is not only good but whom you personally feel comfortable with and whose style in terms of patient involvement in decision-making and communication suits you.

Samitivej, Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital all have good cancer centers and US-trained (or, in a few cases, UK) hematologist/oncologists. Check out their websites (look under hematologist not oncologist) and look for one with special interest in heamtological cancers, board certification in hematology and/or oncology from a western country, preferrably fairly recently.

Then what I suggest is that you have a consultation with at least one such doc at each of these 3 hospitals, under the guise of seeking advice in terms of when to start treatment but for the additional purpose of " interviewing" them to decide on the one you feel most comfortable with. Come armed with specific questions so you can get a feel for how responsive and open the doctor is. While there, ask to be shown the chemo clinic so you can observe the nurses and general atmosphere there.

Some hospitals also offer home chemo with nurses visiting, at least in the Bangkok area.

This is going to get costly; hopefully you have either insurance or ample savings. If not, then Siriraj is the leading government hospital for this and has a very good division of hematology with some top researchers in CLL. Being a governemtn hospital, waits will be long, initial red tape copnsoderable, and much of the care actually given by interns and residents under the supervision of the specialists rather than directly by them. But cost savings would be enormous.

Good luck!

[Tammi]

Dear Lance,

I have personal experience of Dr Narin Voravud and Dr Udomsak at the Horizon Centre at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. There is also Dr Narongsak and Dr Surasit. All of these doctors have American training. Look up Bumrungrad Hospital on the internet and view their credentials and photos under Medicine, Oncology (cancer). Good luck.

I can't get on Bumrungrad site at the moment but I am pretty sure that all the oncologists mentioned above have haematology credentials. But check it out because, as Sheryl says, that's what you need.

[Lance_A_Lot]

Thank you for your informative reply. With respect to Siriraj Hospital, a friend recently went there for a price quote for a corotid endarterectomy. The price quoted was the same as he was given by Bangkok Hospital - Pattaya! ... so, apparantly it's not cheap for farangs.

[bumrungrad]

Hello Lance,

I am very sorry to hear about your illness.

Sheryl, as usual, has the best advice - spend the time to get a doctor you feel comfortable with, and can afford for this.

The link people refer to for reasearching doctors at our hospital is:

http://www.bumrungra...r-a-doctor.aspx

Here you can research all the doctors and their credentials.

If you want me to get any further Doctor recommendations here, PM me with any additional details you feel may be important, and I will get you a name or two to choose from.

We hope you can move through this with the best of possible outcomes.

Best regards,

Scott @ Bumrungrad