How to avoid a biopsy to test for prostate cancer

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Having read all of this thread now, I come away with one gnawing conclusion: finding appropriate, competent medical care for a problem like this particular one shouldn't be so hard.

 

What I'm struck by in this discussion is clearly there are different levels of medical technology on offer at different hospitals here. But you can darn well bet that if you go to one of the hospitals that doesn't have the latest/best MRI equipment, they're still going to want to diagnose and treat you with whatever they have, even if you could do better elsewhere. And I'd imagine the likelihood of any doctor here saying, well, you might be better off going to XXXXX because they have a better MRI technology, is almost nill.

 

Does anyone think the Drs. at Bummers with the 1.5 MRIs are going to even mention to their patients that they might get a better, more clear and telling test result if they go to another hospital that has the 3 version MRIs??? Obviously, I know the equipment and the technology is only part of the equation, along with the expertise of the drs and such.

 

But I guess I should be glad that TVF exists as a place where these kinds of things can be discussed and debated. Because more than likely, you're probably not going to hear about these kinds of choices and differences from your Dr. here.

Edited June 19, 2017 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[bubba]

3 hours ago, al007 said:

Interesting, and maybe a rather negative post ,I thought this thread was about prostate cancer and other prostate related matters,  I  reserve my judgement on its quality , so are you only here to stir the pot, a bit bored with your life, sorry about that.

 

I personally post with the intention of helping others, no other motives, I am also very grateful on life saving help and advice received from Thai Visa members especially Sheryl, when I was in the depths of depression nine months ago and pretty suicidal and unbalanced, I did not know where to go or what to do

 

I have bounced back, yes just for today !

 

I only provided information in reply to others requests

 

God Bless, and May God be with you and your family, I will remember you in my prayers

 

I apologise if I have interpreted you post incorrectly

 

I quietly and with dignity I hope, still intact, withdraw from this debate

Al007 - I am sorry that you found my comments to be "a rather negative". The point is that the best and most advanced medical technology in the world is only effective if the practitioners who use it have the appropriate experience and skill sets. Further, not every radiology unit that has a 3T MRI does multiparametric prostate imaging. That is in no way meant to be negative, and my only intent was to add what I know as constructive information to the discussion.

 

Good luck.

[al007]

5 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

But you can darn well bet that if you go to one of the hospitals that doesn't have the latest/best MRI equipment, they're still going to want to diagnose and treat you with whatever they have, even if you could do better elsewhere. And I'd imagine the likelihood of any doctor here saying, well, you might be better off going to XXXXX because they have a better MRI technology, is almost nill.

 

 

 

5 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

But I guess I should be glad that TVF exists as a place where these kinds of things can be discussed and debated. Because more than likely, you're probably not going to hear about these kinds of choices and differences from your Dr. here.

 

And I'd imagine the likelihood of any doctor here saying, well, you might be better off going to XXXXX because they have a better MRI technology, is almost nill.

 

I would agree, in many cases with the above statement, but this has not been my experience

 

I share here because I want to give something back, for all the help I have had from TV, and from some of my posts it is rather obvious sometimes I am not as tolerant as I should be

 

I can only talk about my own experience, (some which I will leave out just terrible, but assisted my learning curve and taught me not to easily trust doctors here in Thailand, having said that I was compensated without a major fight, they are nice people just incompetent, today I bear no malice)

 

However I first met my colorectal surgeon at Bangkok Christian hospital, (Thanks to Sheryl's guidance,when I was panicking in India, my wife went at 6.00am ,and still only got to  number four in the queue and I saw him at 3.00pm, he is a busy man), on the first appointment he gave me 45 mins, the bill was nominal , he arranged for me to see my consultant Oncologist there the following day

 

I was advised that the chemo and radiology was better and way cheaper at the Government Hospital Chulalongkorn, these two consultants then took me under their wing at Chulalongkorn

 

I was having a long conversation with the colorectal surgeon and he asked where I wanted to have the surgery, he also works a lot at Bumrungrad, so far I have avoided surgery, will I permanently, I do not know,

I reacted better to the Chemo and radiation than anyone dreamt possible, and for this I believe the top equipment also helped greatly

 

I replied if I go to Bumrungrad and you do the operation there, is it better

 

He replied a bill maybe three or four times, but I can do an equal job at Chula, but the floor covering and wall paper is not as good

 

I smiled and said thank you I think the Chula

 

I did check out having the chemo and radiation in both KhonKaen, and at UdonThani Cancer hospital, and they both said yes they could do it, I was still learning, and know today their equipment in both cases is way behind Chulalongkorn, no one told me this I had to find out myself, and even when I started treatment at Chulalongkorn, I was not aware how advanced and up to date their equipment was, my Oncologist also trained at John Hopkins in Baltimore, a leading USA cancer hospital

 

So I consider myself very lucky, but I still have to watch and listen and be my own GP questioning everything, and I do regularly say thank you God, whoever or what ever you might be 

 

At present I have a Colorectal Surgeon, an Oncologist, a Chemo Consultant, and a Urologist, I have no insurance but am comfortably managing the bills

 

One area that needs tolerance is waiting times,  on the route I have chosen, and I am sure at the likes of Bumrungrad this would not be as great, but the costs there maybe I could have met; but then my reserves of cash would have been depleted to dangerously low levels, that I would not have been comfortable with or felt safe

 

Regularly I have waited 3,4,and5 hrs for appointments and I have had many, maybe 50 plus in total

[Sheryl]

From my experience with Chula, they will not have acquired a 3 T MRI without also having insured that at least one,likely more, of their radiologists is well trained in its use. How familiar the urologists are, I don't know but one can ask.

In government hospitals the doctors receive a flat salary unlinked to how many patients they treat or what treatment they provide. And the hospital relies on flat capitation payments from the 3 main national health schemes for easily 99% of its income. These too are these independent of what treatment is given or how many patients treated. So there is absolutely no financial disincentive to referring patients elsewhere. That said, there is a cultural reluctance at times (loss of face, not wanting to disappoint the patient) though that varies with the doctor and their perception of the patient's ability to afford going elsewhere.

The opposite situation holds true in private hospitals. However, individual doctors vary in how much they let financial considerations and pressure from hospital administrators influence them. The very best doctors are often impervious to both. They are sufficiently in demand that they can afford to be.

Whether at a private or a government hospital, the choice of doctor is paramount. There are some excellent doctors to be found in Thailand but they need to be sought out. Just walking into a hospital and taking pot luck will not usually end in being treated by the best, often the opposite. If it is a simple problem then even a mediocre doctor will likely be fine but for anything at all complex and/or serious it is essential to seek out specific doctors and worth travelling to see them.

Government hospitals do entail long waits, especially the tertiary level facilities linked to major medical schools, which is where you will find the best doctors and most up to date equipment. This is true even when using their after hours clinics (strongly advised, as through private channel much of the care is from interns and residents in training, with limited time with the senior specialist). It is necessary to come prepared to wait-- bring books and lots if patience.

Another big disadvantage, especially for those living far away or with limited mobility, is that you usually cannot make appointments by phone so have to make one trip just to book.

[Naam]

33 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

From my experience with Chula, they will not have acquired a 3 T MRI without also having insured that at least one,likely more, of their radiologists is well trained in its use.

is there a difference in reading and analysing the results of a 1.5 and a 3 Tesla?

[al007]

35 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Another big disadvantage, especially for those living far away or with limited mobility, is that you usually cannot make appointments by phone so have to make one trip just to book.

Very true, however there is a  partial way round this, always fix the next appointment with the consultant before leaving him/her, even if you know the date is suspect, it is very easy then on the phone to reschedule appointments

 

Like in August I have six appointments I have rearranged some to see they are pretty close to being on consecutive days, I also have to see the MRI happens two days before the colonoscopy, when it was set up the colonoscopy was originally before the MRI, but the man doing the colonoscopy needs the benefit of the MRI, those administering the appointments miss all this

I also need to see the Colorectal Surgeon is the last to be seen, as his decision affects what happens next

I also send a combined email ten days before, to all consultants, I know a couple of them read it

 

Chula with many appointments happening in close proximity tends to loose my file as I am at the next appointment before my file has been put in its proper place, so with their agreement we keep my file with us for the week taking it away at nights, again saves time later, which could result in appointment being missed

 

Un managed and left to their own devices, it is likely the right sequence will not happen

 

Again on Chula they see their consultants are fully trained in the machinery/equipment, my Oncologist was sent to John Hopkins for a year to train in conjunction with the USA/UK manufacturer, Varian of the equipment

 

This equipment is seriously expensive ( billions not millions) and normally the price includes training of key personnel, there are also many brochures produced by the manufacturer in English detailing what the equipment can do custolmised to Chula hospital, I believe very professional, but then I am I believe justifiably biassed

 

My own belief is Chulalongkorn is the top hospital for cancer treatment in Thailand, I knew little of this when starting this road

 

Chula is building a whole new building to house even more state of the art cancer equipment, atomic science or something I believe, I was talking to the Asia Region Sales Director about this Varian equipment, very impressive, as the final order was being signed and approved, a man from the UK

 

I am not confident the private sector can afford or has the will to train as comprehensibly

 

In the north at two unrelated facilities results of an MRI and CT scan were both not interpreted correctly by totally different people, both these facilities were private and not government, two different cancers in different places were missed

[nontabury]

13 hours ago, bubba said:

So Chula does have a 3T MRI instrument. The next questions would be:

 

- Do they have capability for and experience with multi-parametric prostate imagining?

 

- Do they have a radiologist experienced in interpretation of those?

Finally spoken with a staff member of the radiology department at Chulalongkorn.

They confirmed that they do indeed have the more advanced 3T MRI model. However when I mentioned the Multi-parametric prostrate imagining, they admitted they had never heard of it, let alone being able to offer this particular procedure. So where does this finally leave us, here in Thailand.

Well as it would seem the mr is not available, so we must rely on the 3t model MRI. We then come to the problem of finding a Hospital with competent staff, who can accurately interperate the findings. 

 Luckely we have the experience of a1007,who has directed us to a hospital with the latest equipment, and equally important competent medical staff.

[bubba]

Nontabury - Not sure what your point is as you said that Chula has never even heard of multi-parametric MRI for prostate, and then you say that AI007 has directed us to Chula with the latest equipment and competent staff? Certainly that does not apply to anyone who requires a prostate MRI. 

[al007]

3 hours ago, bubba said:

Nontabury - Not sure what your point is as you said that Chula has never even heard of multi-parametric MRI for prostate, and then you say that AI007 has directed us to Chula with the latest equipment and competent staff? Certainly that does not apply to anyone who requires a prostate MRI. 

Bubba you may have a point, however do you come from USA, have you heard of FAKE NEWS !! you might be guilty of creating it, YES you !!

 

When some people made enquiries at Chula the first response was do not have 3T MRI  but when I call the right department I get the true answer

 

Its a bit like going to Global House no sir out of stock, but whats that on that shelf, the computer says it is not there, please take the box down amazing IN stock

 

It is exceedingly unlikely Chula are not very conversant with all the procedures their machines are capable of, IF YOU ASK THE RIGHT PERSON, 10,000 bhatt bet maybe

 

Think I might win

 

I did suggest earlier on in this thread maybe YOU should do some checking out instead of worrying people unnecessarily , but you declined, and that is also OK

 

Maybe before making assertions you should do maybe a little more research

 

FAKE NEWS YES FAKE NEWS, but it came from someone on the phone at Chula, he says, OH I did not know it was only the toilet cleaner who responded !

 

May I be allowed to correct a quote where it has been suggested I have done something I have not done

 

I have never directed anyone to Chula, I have spoken very highly of it but mainly re Colorectal Cancer, with a far lesser problem Prostate cancer, as a point of principal I would only give anyone some suggestions, with the proviso please do your own checking and do not rely on me, I am unqualified on medical matters

 

Please take this in the spirit in which it is written being my wish to correct maybe erroneous information posted, and not make any personal attack

[Lumbini]

 

I wanted to ask if anyone would be so kind to answer this question possibly . It was those here who helped me with information to get hospital card at Chula and it has been a helpful addition to Bangkok Christian Hospital and Bumrungrad and now I want to help my good friend who want to investigate a high PSA score that is concerning him .

 

He wants to obtain an MRI as opposed to a biopsy for further testing and I read a T3 MRI is more resolution than the 1.5 machine that Bumrungrad has . I mention Bumrungrad because I know Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| the urologist you and others recommend and I see yearly is there and has experience with this form of testing done with MRI and prostate . With that said it seems like doing the actual scan at Chula with a 3T MRI then going to Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| at Bumrungrad to look over and consult with him the results and scan may be a good option since Bumrungrad where Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| resides only has a 1.5 MRI if this 3T MRI is truly available at Chula . Once the scan is done the report could be sent to not only Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| ( who he could meet with to go over ) but other Dr.'s also in the US and possibly Europe who have been doing this test for long time now as alternative to needle biopsy of prostrate . I know to get a scan at Chula one must have and order from a Dr. so do you know who one of the top urologist who may be well versed in this type of MRI alternative to prostate biopsy so I could help my friend get hospital card and scan done at Chula for this procedure then go meet with Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| to go over the results with him as opposed to doing MRI at Bumrungrad with machine half the resolution yet still meet with Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| who others suggested and in my experience is one of the top urologist if not the top urologist in Thailand . So the name of urologist I can schedule and appointment with at Chula to order the MRI for prostate with the 3T MRI if anyone can help thanks in advance

 

 

 

The Importance of Obtaining Prostate MRI Before Biopsy -

The Importance of Obtaining Prostate MRI Before Biopsy - Sperling Prostate Center

 

 

http://sperlingprostatecenter.com/importance-obtaining-prostate-mri-biopsy/

 

 

[nontabury]

7 minutes ago, Lumbini said:

 

I wanted to ask if anyone would be so kind to answer this question possibly . It was those here who helped me with information to get hospital card at Chula and it has been a helpful addition to Bangkok Christian Hospital and Bumrungrad and now I want to help my good friend who want to investigate a high PSA score that is concerning him .

 

He wants to obtain an MRI as opposed to a biopsy for further testing and I read a T3 MRI is more resolution than the 1.5 machine that Bumrungrad has . I mention Bumrungrad because I know Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| the urologist you and others recommend and I see yearly is there and has experience with this form of testing done with MRI and prostate . With that said it seems like doing the actual scan at Chula with a 3T MRI then going to Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| at Bumrungrad to look over and consult with him the results and scan may be a good option since Bumrungrad where Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| resides only has a 1.5 MRI if this 3T MRI is truly available at Chula . Once the scan is done the report could be sent to not only Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| ( who he could meet with to go over ) but other Dr.'s also in the US and possibly Europe who have been doing this test for long time now as alternative to needle biopsy of prostrate . I know to get a scan at Chula one must have and order from a Dr. so do you know who one of the top urologist who may be well versed in this type of MRI alternative to prostate biopsy so I could help my friend get hospital card and scan done at Chula for this procedure then go meet with Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| to go over the results with him as opposed to doing MRI at Bumrungrad with machine half the resolution yet still meet with Dr. Viroj Chodchoy| who others suggested and in my experience is one of the top urologist if not the top urologist in Thailand . So the name of urologist I can schedule and appointment with at Chula to order the MRI for prostate with the 3T MRI if anyone can help thanks in advance

 

 

 

The Importance of Obtaining Prostate MRI Before Biopsy -

The Importance of Obtaining Prostate MRI Before Biopsy - Sperling Prostate Center

 

 

http://sperlingprostatecenter.com/importance-obtaining-prostate-mri-biopsy/

 

 

There's no difficulty in registering with one of the DR at Chulalongkorn, who may then decide to recommend an MRI. The problem then is to obtain a date. I went 2wkks ago, now have an appointment for October.

[al007]

As a patient of Chulalongkorn, and a very grateful one at that

 

Some suggestions, maybe register with My Oncologist Dr Chakapong, I  believe nontabury saw him and also agrees he is  very well qualified; he works at both Chula and BCH, BCH may be quicker and involve less waiting time, request a prescription/order for MRI 3T, at Chula, say you understand the waiting time is 3/4 months,  stop; smile; smile again; and ask if he can speed this up

 

I have had several MRI s  1.5T at Chulalongkorn, and never had to wait, why I have been so lucky I am not sure

 

I believe nontabury came up against a battle axe sister when trying to book, the test is to find a way to make her maybe more amenable

 

I am scheduled for another MRI 1.5T at the end of August and I will try and find out more information then

 

I believe the costs are 1.5T  around 10,500, and the 3.0T 14,000 bhatt

 

If you need my phone number PM me and I will happily give it to you and share any information I may have

 

I have also used Google Chrome to upload  to Google Drive, the CDs from the MRI and than consultants elsewhere around the world can easily download, if one gives them the access, and hence second opinions become quicker and easier

 

I also need to consider putting all my info CDs as well onto one memory stick, I already have 7CDsbut  and many many reports, the problem is still most hospitals will not allow outside information to be read by the doctor, one has to take it to the IT dept so it can be checked before being uploaded ( a sensible precaution)

Edited July 3, 2017 by al007

[Lumbini]

al007 is Dr Chakapong a urologist ? I could not find him on the web but thanks for all the great information and suggestions .

[al007]

7 hours ago, Lumbini said:

al007 is Dr Chakapong a urologist ? I could not find him on the web but thanks for all the great information and suggestions .

No not a urologist, I suggested him because he is oncologist and is very competent with all the equipment at Chula re radiation and MRI, he was also trained at John Hopkins in USA, I believe he spends most of his time at Chula

 

After the MRI done then go to a Urologist was my idea, (agreed the wrong order but quicker rather than urologist MRI and Urologist again) I have no names of competent Urologists at Chula at the moment, Maybe SHERYL can point in the right direction

 

At the end of August my Colorectal Surgeon is arranging for me to see a urologist, but I have no name at the moment, and as a busy man he does not respond to emails

 

I was also hoping Chakkapong (Note earlier I only put in one K in the middle of his name) might fast track you into MRI

 

PM if you want my tel no

[Lumbini]

Thank you so much al007 !

[Sheryl]

There don't seem to be that many urologists at Chula-- among govt hospitals seems to be Ramatibodhi that has the most/takes the lead in Uro. The ones I know of at Chula: Supoj Ratchanon, Julin Opanuraks, Apirak Santi-ngamkun

[al007]

9 hours ago, Lumbini said:

al007 is Dr Chakapong a urologist ? I could not find him on the web but thanks for all the great information and suggestions .

Some more ideas

 

Check out this link, it gives Chakkapong's surgery at BNH, also live chat

 

https://www.bnhhospital.com/find-doctor/search-result/?dname=chakkapong

 

Ask the live Chat to make appointment with Chakkapong, at that appointment ask for the MRI, at Chula, then also a referral to a good Urologist, if he is not sure ask him to ask DR Chucheep, ( My highly regarded colorectal surgeon, Sheryl originally recommended him to me)  who he sees regularily, for a respected urologist

 

My suggestion is do not ask live chat for urologist, he will only give one from a list, you need a name from a respected consultant

 

Remember with the MRI, Dr Viroy at Bumrungrad is easily and quickly available and consultation for me with him cost around 1200Bhatt

 

This helps us all, I need to make appointment with Dr Viroy  myself after my next MRI, just to see my Prostate cancer fully under control, I had not until now thought about this, and with all my bills to date another 1200 bhatt is irrelevant

[SantiSuk]

When I took my dodgy hip to an orthopaedic consultant at Bumrungrad in February he said he could not get me into Bum's MRI unit until a couple of days later so he sent me to an independent MRI centre - Rachvipa MRI (google exactly that) on Ratchadapisek bewteen Sirat Expressway and Don Meuang Tollway. They did it a full lower trunk MRI scan for 10,000 baht. That included the Centre's own pre-consultation and a radiologist's written report and I came away with a large bag of film transparencies and a CD to take back to Bumrungrad (and subsequently keep).

 

Just saying as a possible solution to anyone else who is given a long wait time by a public hospital - or a private hospital who can't do it quick enough. Seemed very clean, modern and professional but I had to use my intermediate Thai to ensure I knew what was going on, so probably best to have a Thai speaker with you unless it's a routine scan pre-odered by your doc. I see from their website that they will do stuff without a doctor/hospital referral and that extends to diagnosis too

 

As it happens, ten days or so ago I was musing over the fact that:

(1) when I cleaned my back passage in the shower I could feel a pronounced tube-like lump just inside my anus - it has since subsided almost back to normal - probably an inflamed blood vessel and nothing of itself to be concerned about;

(2) I haven't had a camera up my bum (colonoscopy) for 5 years now, though I did have a clear full body PET scan 3 years ago on account of unrelated issues (lung malt lymphoma successfully treated by mild radiation therapy);

(3) I have always had old man frequent peeing issues of variable nigglyness for nigh on 10 years, which I have ignored as 'getting older', but it had been getting a bit more troublesome in recent weeks;

and - potentially more importantly;

(4) I was suddenly reminded that the radiologist at Rachvipa MRI Centre had mentioned in a throw-away remark; "you do know that you've got an enlarged prostate don't you" and such was my concern about impending hip problems that I had not reacted to that and then forgotten all about it. 

 

What do you reckon - time to consult? Would I need to see both a urologist and oncologist? I don't have any specific concerns about my bowel habits or anything other than the above that would worry me about bowel or prostate cancer but at 66 (generally very fit, though you wouldn't think it from the 'too-much-information' above!) it would be good to check up on these killers. I have good UK  insurance that works here, so cash is no reason to avoid doing what's best.     ..... Sheryl/anyone?

 

[Hope noone's eating as they read this]

 

 

Incidentally: the Bumrungrad hip consultant looked at the MRI scan and handed me over to his brother (I assume based on their identical family name), who is an orthopaedic surgeon. Cutters want to cut and he quoted me US$ 13.5k for microsurgery (arthoplasty on a degenerated osteoarthritic hip). My UK insurers said that was way overpriced and they would not cover it and a subsequent consultation with a Cambridge University UK teaching professor/consultant confirmed that it would have been an ineffective waste of money!  I'm currently managing out my hip (quite nicely thank you, though I can't run or even jog any more) with a replacement in view probably in 5-10 years time.

[Sheryl]

37 minutes ago, SantiSuk said:

.....

(4) I was suddenly reminded that the radiologist at Rachvipa MRI Centre had mentioned in a throw-away remark; "you do know that you've got an enlarged prostate don't you" and such was my concern about impending hip problems that I had not reacted to that and then forgotten all about it. 

 

What do you reckon - time to consult? Would I need to see both a urologist and oncologist? I don't have any specific concerns about my bowel habits or anything other than the above that would worry me about bowel or prostate cancer but at 66 (generally very fit, though you wouldn't think it from the 'too-much-information' above!) it would be good to check up on these killers. I have good UK  insurance that works here, so cash is no reason to avoid doing what's best.     ..... Sheryl/anyone?

 

 

 

A urologist for the enlarged prostate. No reason at all to think it is cancer at this stage so certainly not an oncologist. Dr. Viroj at Bumrungrad is excellent and will not recommend surgery etc unnecessarily. 

 

If you have not had a colonoscopy in past 10 years then shopuld have one as a routine measure. GI specialist or in some hospitals you can book it directly as a check up procedure.

[al007]

Some personal observations, and bear in mind I am not medically qualified, but have had many MRIs in the last nine months

 

At the stage an MRI is going to be done I would choose to see an oncologist as well as the urologist, if possible

 

The oncologist I believe is better qualified to read the MRI, the oncologist is dealing with MRI imaging everyday, and all day, this is even being used live to direct the radiation beams, he also knows how to interpret the data

 

The urologist whilst experienced in reading the images does not spend as big a percentage of his time as the oncologist interpreting this data

 

I say this because I had a report from a radiologist, at an out of hospital  MRI scan centre, in Issan the radiologist gave a clean written report, the urologist also gave a clean report, there were two lots of cancer present

This urologist only read the written report he did not look at the scan itself, at this time I was still trusting doctors

 

At another private hospital on its own CAT scan machine a clean report was again incorrectly given by the radiologist, and several other doctors confirmed no problems, I even had a colonoscopy and the results were interpreted incorrectly, and no biopsy done

 

A question to ask the Urologist must be please confirm you personally have examined the images from the scan, and hopefully the answer will be yes

 

I do not know but believe it is likely the oncologist is also highly trained as a radiologist as well, and even if he only rules out cancer that is good in any case

 

I have a lot of faith in some of the doctors here in Thailand but be very careful

[bubba]

Not sure what happened but it seems that the last couple of posts (concerning obtaining second opinions for MRIs) have disappeared. Just received an email notification with a post by Nontabury saying:

 

nontabury said:

4 hours ago, bubba said: If you are thinking of obtaining a second opinion on your prostate MP MRI, you might find this helpful:   [link deleted]   Interestingly some of the procedures, are less expensive in the USA compared with Thailand. Amazing.   -------   Was it deleted because of the link I included? If so, sorry if that violated a rule here, but it really was a very helpful resource for me.   Regarding "some of the procedures are less expensive in the USA compared with Thailand", I noticed that in the resource I posted. A 3T MP prostate MRI at a well-respected imaging centre in Florida was posted as costing about 23,800 baht. The one I had at Bumrungrad two years ago with the older 1.5T MRI instrument cost 38,000 baht.

Edited July 7, 2017 by bubba

[teddog]

21 minutes ago, bubba said:

Not sure what happened but it seems that the last couple of posts (concerning obtaining second opinions for MRIs) have disappeared. Just received an email notification with a post by Nontabury saying:

 

nontabury said:

4 hours ago, bubba said: If you are thinking of obtaining a second opinion on your prostate MP MRI, you might find this helpful:   [link deleted]   Interestingly some of the procedures, are less expensive in the USA compared with Thailand. Amazing.   -------   Was it deleted because of the link I included? If so, sorry if that violated a rule here, but it really was a very helpful resource for me.   Regarding "some of the procedures are less expensive in the USA compared with Thailand", I noticed that in the resource I posted. A 3T MP prostate MRI at a well-respected imaging centre in Florida was posted as costing about 23,800 baht. The one I had at Bumrungrad two years ago with the older 1.5T MRI instrument cost 38,000 baht.

Take a trip to India  3T MRI  prostate scan under 3000 baht

[al007]

I am not sure why the posts were removed a little clarification would help us abide by the rules

 

I do have a couple of links for second opinions but will refrain from posting them, however if anyone wants second opinion and send a pm to Me I can probably assist

 

Second opinions are very valuable and generally good money spent

[Sheryl]

Nother Moderator removed it because of the link to another website.

 

In future please address any issues regarding Moderation to Support (PM or email [email protected])

[bubba]

OK, thanks for the heads up. I didn't know that links were not allowed here. I have certainly posted loads of links in all the years that I have been a TV participant. 

 

That website really is a good resource for real information regarding what we have been discussing here, and particularly so since this is an important health issue for many of the participants. May I suggest that you google: Team Inspire prostate? 

[Jai Dee]

My apologies... it was me that removed those posts.

I meant to explain why but I got caught up doing other things then forgot about it.

 

The reason why the first post was removed was because it linked to another external forum, and you had to be a member of that forum in order to read the topic.

The second post I removed because it quoted the first (removed) post.

 

All clear now?

[bubba]

Thanks Jai Dee...now that you mention it, I do recall the rule here regarding no posting of links to other forums...oops!.

[Jai Dee]

Just now, bubba said:

Thanks Jai Dee...now that you mention it, I do recall the rule here regarding no posting of links to other forums...oops!.

No problem... no big deal.

 

Links to external non-competing forums are borderline... as they direct traffic away from our site to someone else's, but in cases like this you had to be a member of that other forum in order to read the topic, so definitely a no-no.

 

Links to other medical sites for information are OK.

[nontabury]

7 hours ago, teddog said:

Take a trip to India  3T MRI  prostate scan under 3000 baht

The name and contact DETAILS at that hospital please.

[bubba]

2 minutes ago, nontabury said:

The name and contact DETAILS at that hospital please.

I would be interested in that as well if for no other reason than to understand their business model.

 

Cost of a new 3T MRI: $2 - $3M USD

 

MRI Room construction cost: ~ $200K USD

 

Hospital Overhead: ?

 

Labour costs, including radiologists, technicians, gadolinium for the contrast imaging: can that be much less than 3000 baht/patient?