Tumor In The Stomach

[tigerbeer]

Hi Everyone,

A friend of mine contacted me on some help with this. He lives in California but his dad who lives in Dhaka, Bangladesh was told to seek treatment in LOS. His dad has been diagnosed as having a tumor in the stomach. I really don't know to what degree or seriousness it is but seems bad and needs a treatment ASAP.

Could anyone shed some light on what would be the hospital that they should consult in Bangkok? Or any specific doctors? Any ideas or suggestions would very much be appreciated.

thank you.

TB..

[PMK]

Hi TB,

It sounds like they don't know if it is malignant or not, which is a bit surprising as there are advanced CAT scans and other non-invasive means of diagnosis - but maybe they don't have those where he is. Diagnosis of course would be the first thing to get done. Bumrungrad, which I have had experience with, and I suppose the other of the big hospitals, have USA board certified specialists on staff. My understanding is that that certification is not easy to get, and unlike many other who just hang out a shingle without any advanced training or experience, they are indeed specialists in their field. If it is was me or a loved one, I would feel much better with a board certified radiologist and eventually surgeon(s) involved.

I've seen some posts here, only one come to think of it, where people have not been happy with Bumrungrad. It's been a long time since I was there, but they were pretty easy to talk to and would even quote on procedures where possible. They were recommended to me by an American doctor living in Thailand, and while I was only there for a colonoscopy, I was favourably impressed.

Peter

[Sheryl]

Although it is possible to have small benign polyps in the stomach, actual tumors are usually malignant. They are also, sad to say, often incurable by the time they are symptomatic and diagnosed.

It would help both to know more about the condition (Size of the tumor, biopsy results if done, and whether or not there has been a scan or ultrasound of the lungs & liver and if so results).

If it is an adenocarcinoma (most likely), surgery can be curative in the early stages, but more often by the time symptoms are noticeable it is already too late for this. Once it is inoperable, adjunctive therapy (e.g. chemotherapy) does not offer much. If it is a lymphoma or other type of tumor, on the other hand, chemo and radiation may make a real difference.

From my knowledge of medical care in Bangladesh (I lived & worked there for 4 years) it should be possible to determine there the size of the tumor, whether it is malignant and whether there is any obvious metastasis, and I suspect the doctors who have suggested he go to Thailand have already done so. What they may not have done is be frank with him as to what his prognosis, even with care in Thailand, is. However since the costs will be considerable, he and his family need to know this. If the condition is terminal, he may want to seriously consider not making the trip, or limiting it to getting a second opinion only. As might otherwise spend a very large amount of money without changing the outcome. Also need to consider, in case it is a terminal situation, whether he wouldn't be better off dying at home with his family than in a foreign hospital.

If he does decide to come to Thailand, either for treatment or just consultation, I would suggest either Bumrungrad or Bangkok Hospital (which has a dedicated cancer hospital). But first I suggest ascertaining clearly the variables mentioned above.

Also if he does come to Thailand, prior poster's recommendation re choosing a doctor board certification in a western country are correct. In addition, even western trained Thai doctors aren't very frank with patients about their prognosis, and the Thai style of communication is subtle and indirect. So he will need to ask very pointed questions and not simply accept whatever treatment is offered. Otherwise a real chance of spending a small fortune on treatment which isn't going to change the outcome, or will just prolong his life by a short while at the expense not only of a lot of money but also physical discomfort and separation from his family.

IF, on the other hand, the doctors in Bangladesh have said that the tumor might be operable, then he should indeed come to Thailand at once as time is of the essence. In that case he could also consider Saint Louis Hospital as it is much less expensive than the places mentioned above. It does not have as much expertise for treatment of advanced cancer but does have competent general surgeons capable of performing the surgery in question, if surgery is in fact still an option.

[tigerbeer]

Hi PMK, thank you for your insights into Bumrungrat's hospital suggestion. I have talked to a friend before who only had good things to say about BUmrungrat.

Sheryl, Yes I think we need to know a bit more about the diagnosis from Bangladesh. Thank you so much for your comments and opinions on this. I shall copy and paste or send my friend this link for his knowledge. I did happen to chat with my friend yesterday and the doctor said he has 5 years at least to live. Not sure if thats after the treatment if successful or at the moment as it is.

Thank you both again.