Answered3 years ago

What are the best options for consulting an oncologist in Bangkok for a person with advanced stage 4 prostate cancer?

Medical Advice Oncology Cancer Treatment Bangkok Hospitals Healthcare for Expats Prostate Cancer

Bob ********

asked Oct 30, 2023

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Hi again folks...

  Firstly, I apologise if my question is too far off topic...

  I have been asked by my dear next door neighbour in Ireland (he knows I lived in Thailand for many years) if I could advise him of where and how he could consult an  Oncologist when he travels to BKK next Jan. or Feb. (He has a good one here but is run off his feet).

  He is 75 and has recently been diagnosed with "Advanced stage 4 Prostate Cancer".

  I would be very grateful for any advice..Thanking you.

Answer summary

The user is seeking advice for a neighbor diagnosed with advanced stage 4 prostate cancer who will be traveling to Bangkok. Suggestions include visiting any hospital for a referral and considering both public and private options like Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, with a note on cost differences for foreigners. It is also advised to prioritize treatment outcomes over costs and be aware of potential differences in cancer treatment knowledge among oncologists from different regions.

12 repliesnewest first

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Adam *********

You might get more helpful responses if you put this into Bangkok Expats . Apologies if you already have!

3 years ago

Bob ********

@Adam ********

Thank you Adam...I will ask my friend what he wants to do. He is very grateful for the advice coming in so far.

He says he is not looking for an "inexpensive" type of treatment and doesn't mind paying for it. I wasn't aware of that till now and didn't like to ask him... Cheers.

3 years ago

Gordon ********

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/the-best-cancer-hospital-in-thailand/

3 years ago

Gordon ********

3 years ago

Bob ********

@Gordon *******

Am most grateful Gordon for your post and "link". . My friend said to me this morning that if and when he travels to Thailand ...he would need a strong, reliable and trustworthy person to assist him (he presently manages with the aid of a walking frame, and moves rather slowly).

I will be going over there myself in the New Year (lived there for 23 years until the COVID arrived) but I think at 74, one year younger than himself, I might not be the ideal person for the job...Cheers

P.S... Or, he said, he may wait till he becomes more mobile.

3 years ago

Andy **********

I would check outcomes rather than if its cheap. Ireland has a public health service and co-shares with the UK NHS. There was some YouTuber in Thailand who opted for throat cancer treatment in Thailand because someone on the Internet told he coukd not get treatment at home in the UK. His savings were emptied and he died. Turned out the NHS would have treated him, probably a better outcome. Also note, there can be significant differences in the etiologies of cancers in different ethnicities meaning a Thai oncologist might not be as familiar with the treatments that work best in a northwestern European.

3 years ago

Bob ********

@Andy *********

Thank you Andy...The problem here is the length of the waiting lists, it can run into years before one gets treatment.

3 years ago

Andy **********

@Bob *******

not necessarily. It does depend on the illness. Electives, sure the waiting list can be extended. But don't believe the headlines. UK targets for prostatectomy is 62 days or less. Irelands current wait is about 114 days.. Prostatectomy is a typical treatment. There will be drug based therapies but it's not like nipping over to get a tooth taken out. A medical tourist traveling for cancer treatment will struggle to get travel insurance. That will be a problem if the thai doctor says nothing can be done, and your friend is in such a state no airline will let him fly, ie no medical evacuation and he has a lonely death in thailand, perhaps without palliative care. Prostate cancer is one if those cancers where not everyone will get treatment and a surgeon will refuse to carry out surgery even if the patient demands it. If surgery is the treatment, your friend will be required to undergo pre surgical assessment where they consider overall health and age. At that stage they may discover comorbidities which will stop the procedure going ahead, such as heart or respiratory disease. A trip to Thailand might not even result in any treatment. I would urge him to fully investigate domestic alternatives including referral to the private sector.

3 years ago

Andy **********

@Bob *******

Also many cancer patients will stay in contact with their oncologist for years after treatment.

3 years ago

Bob ********

@Andy *********

Thank you for your informed advice Andy.

3 years ago

Bob ********

Thank you Graham. I did tell him about the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital (I lived in Pattaya) but mentioned it can be quite expensive. I myself attended the Army and Navy Sattahip Hospital when I lived in Bang Saray. A farang paid 2 times more than a Thai National but it was still very very reasonable..

My friend says that sounds interesting to him.

3 years ago

Graham ******

He could walk into any hospital, private or state depending on budget, see the admission doctor and ask to be referred.

3 years ago