Cancer Treatment in Thailand is a thoroughly advanced field which provides a healthcare system with modern facilities with highly trained healthcare professionals, and it focuses on complete patient care. Thailand has made a magnificent place in cancer treatment as it offers a wide range of options to both domestic and international patients, as per their needs, like blood cancer treatment, bone cancer treatment, bladder cancer treatment, liver cancer treatment, skin cancer treatment, etc. Thailand, as a country not only provides the best prices for international patients for the treatment but also here the hospitals and the experts provide quality care to each patient. 

In this article, we are mainly discussing cancer, symptoms of cancer, types of cancer treatment in Thailand, cost and many more.

What is Cancer?

It is a medical condition which occurs when the cells in the body accumulate more rapidly than they should. These unusual cells mutate together to form a mass called a tumour. To assess the scope and depth of the cancer, physicians may consult for testing. After that, a number will be assigned to the diagnosis. The bigger the number, the greater the spread of cancer.

Usually, cancer is diagnosed based on its stages. These stages have factors that determine the exact stage of the cancer, which are size and the location of the tumour. The stages of the cancer are:

• Stage 1: In this stage, the cancer has accumulated in a small location and has not spread to any tissues or lymph nodes.

• Stage 2: In this stage, the tumours or cancers have grown more rapidly and deeply into nearby tissues.

• Stage 3: The tumours grow larger and might spread to nearby tissues, and are cured with therapies like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.

• Stage 4: The cancer has moved to other organs or body parts. It is also known as advanced cancer.

What are the Signs of Cancer?

Cancer is a complicated disease. It can exist for years without showing any symptoms, and it could worsen over time. If there is a sign in the body that lasts longer than two weeks, we should generally consult the doctor. Some of the signs  of cancer are:

• Continuous coughing.

• Having trouble swallowing.

• Consistent heartburn.

• Regular pain in the muscles and joints.

• Feeling tired with such light activities.

• Constant Fever

What are the reasons for Cancer?

Cancer has multiple factors that affect the body. Some of the factors that cause cancer in the body are:

• Smoking: Smoking is the primary cause of cancer. Smoking kills or destroys the DNA  in the cells, and the cells do not perform their function as well as they are supposed to.

• Alcohol: Alcohol causes cancer as it destroys the cells and stops them from repairing the damaged cells. It can also increase the levels of hormones in the body, such as oestrogen and insulin.

• Poor Diets: According to the researchers, unhealthy diets lead to many diseases such as heart attack, diabetes and some cancers also. 

• HPV: Human Papillomavirus(HPV) is a common virus that causes cancer. It can cause cancer of the anus, vagina, penis and certain portions of the head and neck also.

Types of Treatment Available For Cancer In Thailand?

Cancer can be treated with a wide range of techniques, medical procedures and ongoing research. Certain normal therapies like radiation therapy and surgery are used to treat a particular tumour or any part of the body. Drug-based therapies like Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy are used to treat cancer for every part of the body. Some of the relevant treatment options that are available in Thailand are:

1. Surgery: If the cancer is not spread to other parts of the body and the tissues, it can be removed through surgery. In this, both radiation and chemotherapy with surgery are used to kill the cancer cells.

2. Chemotherapy: It is one of the most used cancer therapies for the treatment of any cancer. It kills cancer cells with potent medications. Chemotherapy can be done through injecting the needle into a vein. Professionals used this therapy occasionally and targeted directly affected body parts or organs.

3. Radiation Therapy: In this, high radiation dosages are intended for the treatment to kill cancer cells. Radiation and Chemotherapy are given together by the healthcare provider.

4. Hormone Therapy: This therapy helps in stopping the growth of cancer cells and prevents them from dividing.

5. Immunotherapy: It is the process of cancer therapy that boosts our immune system to fight the disease. It is also known as biological therapy.

6. Targeted Cancer Therapy: This therapy focuses on genetic changes and mutations that cause healthy cells to convert into cancerous cells.

New and Emerging Technologies for Cancer Treatment in Thailand

Cancer research is advancing day by day and leads to new therapies that provide more effective treatment and hope for patients with fewer side effects. Some of the technologies in Thailand for cancer treatment are:

• Gene Therapy: It involves removing or replacing genes to stop the growth of cancer. It is still experimental, but it shows some good results in targeting specific mutations that lead to cancer.

• CRISPR  Gene Editing: This technology helps in actual changes of DNA and corrects the mutations that cause cancer.

• Nanotechnology: It delivers cancer drugs directly to tumours and protects healthy tissues from damage. Nanoparticles help in obtaining a clear image and detecting cancer cells.

What is the Cost of Cancer Treatment in Thailand?

The price of the cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer you have. Usually, the cost of cancer treatment in Thailand is around USD 5,000 - USD 80,000. In Thailand, the cost depends on the type of treatment:

Cost Comparison of Cancer Treatment in Thailand Vs Other Countries

Cancer treatment in Thailand is highly advanced and innovative, yet the cost is much less than the Western countries. That makes Thailand a safe, effective and affordable option for both domestic and international patients. Here is a cost comparison:

What Factors to Consider When Choosing Cancer Treatment?

Every patient has required different treatments. It can happen that the treatment that suits one person may not suit another person. So, different factors are considered when choosing the cancer treatment. Some of them are:

• Type and Stage of Cancer: It is possible that early-stage cancer may be treated with surgery only, but the advanced stage of cancer requires a combination of therapies to treat the cancer.

• Patient’s Overall Health: Before going to the treatment of cancer, carefully check the patient’s health as to whether they are capable of tolerating the therapies or not, because older and weakened patients are not able to tolerate the therapies like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc.

• Side Effects and Quality of Life: Some treatments of cancer, like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, have severe side effects that affect a patient's daily life. 

• Cost and Availability: Not all treatments of the cancer are available and affordable in every region, and not all patients can afford the cost of the treatment of the cancer. It is very important to explore options, including clinical trials that may offer low-cost treatment for cancer.

Best Hospital For Cancer Treatment in Thailand

Thailand has provided affordable and cost-effective treatment for cancer for both domestic patients and international patients. It uses some advanced technology to treat the patients. Here are a few best hospitals in Thailand:

1. Vejthani Hospital: One of the good multi-speciality hospitals of Thailand. The hospital has many departments like cancer, cardiology, neurology, and ortho etc. They have the capacity of more than 250 beds. Technologies used in the hospitals, like MRI, Digital X-ray, etc. 

2. Bumrungrad International Hospital: This is one of the largest private hospitals in Southeast Asia. It is a multi-speciality hospital with 550+ beds with various departments like cancer, cardiology, neurology and many more. The hospital uses technology like robot-assisted surgery for cancer.

3. Bangkok Hospital: It is the first private hospital in Thailand, established in 1972. A multi-speciality hospital capacity of more than 450 beds with different departments like cancer, cardiology and nephrology, etc. This hospital uses Walkbot and ARTIS Pheno X-ray technology.

4. Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital: It is a multi-speciality hospital with 345 beds, with several departments like Organ Transplant, Cancer, Cardiology Treatment, Neurology, Paediatrics, etc. The hospital was named “Piyamaharajkarun” in honour of King Rama V.

Conclusion

Cancer treatment in Thailand is very affordable with effective, and it provides innovative and advanced technology that offers both domestic and international patients. From using traditional therapies like surgery and chemotherapy to innovative and advanced technology like immunotherapy and gene editing, Thailand has come a long way. In this blog, we mentioned all about the cancer treatment in Thailand that helps the individual to choose Thailand for medical tourism.