Is Bangkok A Good Health Treatment Destination?

[xty]

People, in my country Indonesia, whose enough money are going to Singapore (e.g. Mount Elizabeth hospital) for health treatment if they think there's no progress in treating locally. At least more advanced facilities, etc.

So is Bangkok also best in medical treatment? Any best hospital in Bangkok? Not just only ripping you off without any good progress.

My father has been ill of tumor (outside kidney and right foot ankle) since one year ago. We have been trying to cure with all kind of methods: local hospital, reflexology, accupuncture, Chinese herbs, but no progress so far. In fact in the last 1-2 months it has become worse (can't eat or get up from bed, complication on liver).

Because he doesn't want to be operated (take out left kidney moreover leg amputation) and he has been antipaty to local doctors/hospitals, he wishes to be brought to Singapore for treatment. Even to take operation (take out left kidney) would be Ok, a matter of trust. But the problem is that no relatives live there so it would be difficult to take care.

As I live in Bangkok now, it would be easier to take care.

So is there a best hospital or alternative treatment in Bangkok especially for tumor related diseases?

[Tywais]

Bumrungrad (Bangkok) is considered to be the best in south asia and is fully compliant with international standards. People from all over the world come here.

http://www.bumrungrad.com/

Many posters here also feel that Yanhee is excellant.

http://www.yanhee.co.th

[skylar]

My father developed a tumour in Thailand, and was advised that even at Bumrungrad his only feasible option was to have his leg amputated if he did not go overseas for an operation. His post operative care was at Bumrungrad. It was however extremely expensive, and was covered by health insurance.

[uhuh]

Medical care in Bangkok is much better than in Indonesia, but Singapore is still better. If it were my father, I would probably rather have him in Singapore. I would check out Vichaiyut Hospital 02-6186200 (maybe the best in Thailand) and the Cancer Center 02-2785716-20 (and Bumrungrad) and ask their advice.

[xty]

My father developed a tumour in Thailand, and was advised that even at Bumrungrad his only feasible option was to have his leg amputated if he did not go overseas for an operation. His post operative care was at Bumrungrad. It was however extremely expensive, and was covered by health insurance.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As I'm not that rich and there's no health insurance coverage for my father, price does matter for us, but off course we need good service, facility, medication as well. For example for single/private room rate of around 2000 Baht/day is still reasonable, but not like 6300 Baht/day (the cheapest) offered by Samitivej cancer center hospital. And that excludes operation (if needed), doctors, laboratory, medication, etc.

[Sheryl]

My father developed a tumour in Thailand, and was advised that even at Bumrungrad his only feasible option was to have his leg amputated if he did not go overseas for an operation. His post operative care was at Bumrungrad. It was however extremely expensive, and was covered by health insurance.

As I'm not that rich and there's no health insurance coverage for my father, price does matter for us, but off course we need good service, facility, medication as well. For example for single/private room rate of around 2000 Baht/day is still reasonable, but not like 6300 Baht/day (the cheapest) offered by Samitivej cancer center hospital. And that excludes operation (if needed), doctors, laboratory, medication, etc.

Before going into all this expense, can you clarify whether or not your father's cancer has metastasized to the liver? From what you say it sounds like it may have. Also please clarify what the exact primary location of the tumor is and whether there is any other metastatsis.

I ask all this (I'm a nurse) because if it has metastaized to the liver there is no chance of cure, he is terminally ill and the best thing you can do for him is to arrange for good palliative care (pain relief etc). For that, a less expensive hospital is possible. If on the other hand there is still a chance of cure, then you'll need either Smitivej/Bumrungrad and all they cost or a government hospital.

If you can find out the answers to these points I can advise further. Asian doctors are hesitant about giving bad news directly, bnut if you call the dooctors who saw him in Singapore and tell them plainly that you need to know his prognosis because funds are limited and you don't want to waste money on treatments that won't really help -- or put him through unnecessary treatments -- they'll tell you.

[xty]

Before going into all this expense, can you clarify whether or not your father's cancer has metastasized to the liver? From what you say it sounds like it may have. Also please clarify what the exact primary location of the tumor is and whether there is any other metastatsis.

I ask all this (I'm a nurse) because if it has metastaized to the liver there is no chance of cure, he is terminally ill and the best thing you can do for him is to arrange for good palliative care (pain relief etc). For that, a less expensive hospital is possible. If on the other hand there is still a chance of cure, then you'll need either Smitivej/Bumrungrad and all they cost or a government hospital.

If you can find out the answers to these points I can advise further. Asian doctors are hesitant about giving bad news directly, bnut if you call the dooctors who saw him in Singapore and tell them plainly that you need to know his prognosis because funds are limited and you don't want to waste money on treatments that won't really help -- or put him through unnecessary treatments -- they'll tell you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Sheryl for the advise.

About one year ago after my father felt pain on the foot ankle, he got diagnosed by local doctor (in Bandung, Indonesia) was related to bone problem on the ankle (lack of calcium etc). Then after sometimes he got USG scan, it was found that there was a bone tumor or something. Then advised to check his kidney. There was no problem with the kidney, it functioned well and there was no pain whatsoever like someone who got kidney stone or kidney failure. We tried some doctor and alternative medication.

After couple of months, he got another USG and then CT scan and found that there was a tumor outside one of the kidney. We are not sure if the tumor on the kidney or on the ankle is the primary one. However, again there was no pain or disfunctionality of the kidney.

Then shockly the doctor just easily say that his kidney needed to be taken out and his leg needed to be amputated. Can you imagine how shocked he was that my father never, yes never, had even once being badly ill nor hospitalized in the last his 60 years of life, and then he got this news!

As he didn't want to get operated (and off course amputated) then we tried some alternative medications like accupuncture, reflexology, Chinese herbs, food control, since several months ago until recently.

Apparently it didn't help much. Until couple of months ago he often lost his apetite and pre-diagnosed to have liver problem. But before he was about to get another checkup for the progress, since couple of days ago my father got hospitalized (in Bandung, Indonesia) because the condition was worsen, couldn't wake up at all. Surely we would have him the checkup during this time. Though I'm not so sure in the hospital they got all the facilities like full body CT scanner, etc.

I couldn't wait for the result so that we can proceed to check to more advanced hospitals (in Jakarta, Indonesia or here in Bangkok). After then to decide to take him to Bangkok or not.

Some questions:

- When we have all the records and test result my father took previously, is it necessary to check again in Bangkok (for the same test, except more advanced check)?

- Can he be only an outpatient in the treatment (offcourse after all the checks)? He would stay in my apartment to reduce the cost of the expensive hospital room.

- How long normally for the treatment?

- And if my father should be brought here for Bumrungrad/Samitivej/etc, for ALL the expenses (including ALL treatments until he recovers) do you think would be enough if my budget is up to 200,000 Baht?

Edited October 24, 2005 by xty

[xty]

My father developed a tumour in Thailand, and was advised that even at Bumrungrad his only feasible option was to have his leg amputated if he did not go overseas for an operation. His post operative care was at Bumrungrad. It was however extremely expensive, and was covered by health insurance.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To Skylar, BTW you said that even Bumrungrad couldn't get the operation done there and instead should take him out of the country? Where was the operation done (country/city, hospital name, doctor name, etc)? Thank you.

[uhuh]

- When we have all the records and test result my father took previously, is it necessary to check again in Bangkok (for the same test, except more advanced check)?

Probably not necessary, but expect the hospital in Bangkok to do all the tests again anyway.

- Can he be only an outpatient in the treatment (offcourse after all the checks)? He would stay in my apartment to reduce the cost of the expensive hospital room.

It depends on his condition. Is he an outpatient right now?

Be prepared for hospital stays of several weeks or months.

- How long normally for the treatment?

If your father can be discharged from the hospital, he will still need outpatient treatment (at least regular check-ups) probably for the rest of his life.

- And if my father should be brought here for Bumrungrad/Samitivej/etc, for ALL the expenses (including ALL treatments until he recovers) do you think would be enough if my budget is up to 200,000 Baht?

Probably not.

Sheryl made some good points. I don't think you can come to a conclusion based on this message board. Contact a hospital here and have their doctor contact the Indonesian doctor and give you some advice. Bumrungrad is used to handle foreign patients, they can certainly help you to evaluate the situation.

[Sheryl]

Thanks Sheryl for the advise.

About one year ago after my father felt pain on the foot ankle, he got diagnosed by local doctor (in Bandung, Indonesia) was related to bone problem on the ankle (lack of calcium etc). Then after sometimes he got USG scan, it was found that there was a bone tumor or something. Then advised to check his kidney. There was no problem with the kidney, it functioned well and there was no pain whatsoever like someone who got kidney stone or kidney failure. We tried some doctor and alternative medication.

After couple of months, he got another USG and then CT scan and found that there was a tumor outside one of the kidney. We are not sure if the tumor on the kidney or on the ankle is the primary one. However, again there was no pain or disfunctionality of the kidney.

Then shockly the doctor just easily say that his kidney needed to be taken out and his leg needed to be amputated. Can you imagine how shocked he was that my father never, yes never, had even once being badly ill nor hospitalized in the last his 60 years of life, and then he got this news!

As he didn't want to get operated (and off course amputated) then we tried some alternative medications like accupuncture, reflexology, Chinese herbs, food control, since several months ago until recently.

Apparently it didn't help much. Until couple of months ago he often lost his apetite and pre-diagnosed to have liver problem. But before he was about to get another checkup for the progress, since couple of days ago my father got hospitalized (in Bandung, Indonesia) because the condition was worsen, couldn't wake up at all. Surely we would have him the checkup during this time. Though I'm not so sure in the hospital they got all the facilities like full body CT scanner, etc.

I couldn't wait for the result so that we can proceed to check to more advanced hospitals (in Jakarta, Indonesia or here in Bangkok). After then to decide to take him to Bangkok or not.

Some questions:

- When we have all the records and test result my father took previously, is it necessary to check again in Bangkok (for the same test, except more advanced check)?

- Can he be only an outpatient in the treatment (offcourse after all the checks)? He would stay in my apartment to reduce the cost of the expensive hospital room.

- How long normally for the treatment?

- And if my father should be brought here for Bumrungrad/Samitivej/etc, for ALL the expenses (including ALL treatments until he recovers) do you think would be enough if my budget is up to 200,000 Baht?

What is still not clear from your email is whether the "liver problem"is metastais (spread of the ancer to the liver. Sounds like he has not had a proper fullwork. I would recommend that you bring him to Bangkok for further evaluation. If he's not too sick currently for you to care for him at home, then the evaluation can be done as an outpatient. Personally I would go to Samitivej but Burungrad is also fine. Bring all records of past tests and be very clear in tellingthe doctors 1) funds are limited and 2) you want a clear answer about his prognosis (chance of survival) so that you can make the best decision about whether ornot to put him through the rauma of surgery or cheomotherapy or just make him comfortable.

Once you have the answers, you ca decide what to do next. If there is still a chance of a cure (meaning the can rule outspreadof the cancer to the liver,brain and bone) and you decide on surgery then you can shop around for a less expensive hospital or even consider a government hospital, the major ones are good just a little hard to deal with and get into unless you have a Thai speaker with you. If it turns outis cancer has already spread ad no chace of cure, I wouldn't recommend putting him through major surgery.There might be some chance of extending hislife by chemotherapy but probably ol by a few months to a year and at some expense. Otherwise you need what is called hospice care: measures to keep him comfortable. That can be done at home nd should notbe too expensive although you may need some help finding a plae that can provide home nursing etc.

As you can see,everything hinges on getting a clear and thorough diagnosis and that's worth going to a top facility for, Once you have that, you can seek out less expensive places to provide whatever course of treatment you then decide on.

I am in Cambodia now but will be back in Thailand from 5 November and glad to help in any way I can. suggest in the meantime you contact either Samitivej or Bumrungrad and explain that you need an "appointment with a cancer specialist to evaluate possible spread of a bone and adrenal tumor and identify treatment options." This is going to involve scans and ultrasounds and will probably run somewhere around 20,000 - 30,000 baht approximately, but may help prevent a lot of othe unnecessary expenditures and treatments in the long run. Good luck.