Cancer is a formidable foe; it can develop in almost any organ or tissue of our bodies. It happens when a normal cell turns into a cancerous cell, eventually multiplying and spreading, wreaking havoc internally. The mentioned process is called metastasis and is known to be the main cause of death from cancer. Today we offer a peek into one of Thailand’s Pioneer Cancer Hospitals the Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth.
Wattanosoth is a Thai word that means “progressive medicine”, the hospital was named by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Additionally, the Wattanosoth Hospital was known as the first private cancer hospital in Thailand equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and oncologists renowned for diagnosing and treating all types of cancers.
According to WHO or the World Health Organization, in 2020, there were nearly 10 million deaths and 18.1 million cancer cases around the world, making cancer the primary cause of death worldwide. In the United States, the statistics for new cancer cases amassed an estimated 1.9 million while the deaths reached almost 609, 000.
As the numbers continue to grow, preventing cancer has become one of the most challenging global burdens but it must be prioritized. As Madeline Drexler stated, “We cannot treat our way out of the rising cancer caseload. The only solution is a full-scale defense so that nobody suffers the disease in the first place.”
While it is true that prevention is undeniably better than cure, suffering patients still need our equal attention. Fortunately, various countries provide high-caliber health systems, helping patients attain higher survival rates from different types of cancers like Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth.
About Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth
Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth is part of the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Company, Ltd. BDSM was established in 1969 with the clear objective of venturing into a private hospital business named “Bangkok Hospital”. The operation eventually commenced in 1972 and progressively expanded throughout the years earning numerous accreditations, national and international awards, and partnerships across the world.
One of the greatest expansions of Bangkok Hospital is the Bangkok Cancer Hospital, simply known as Wattanosoth Hospital. It has been privately operating since late 2005, with a primary goal of helping cure cancer patients.
Featured equipment available at Wattanosoth:
- PET/CT (Positron Emulsion Tomography/ Computed Tomography) is a special scanner that provides advanced imaging technology and patient care. It uses radioisotopes to detect early signs of cancers from different organs, heart muscle assessment in heart disease, and even evaluation of brain anatomy in stroke, dementia, and epilepsy.
- Cyclotron is a radioactive particle accelerator that is used together with PET/CT to yield radiopharmaceuticals that can diagnose, detect, and treat cancer.
- IMRT (Novalis) is a type of medical equipment utilized for non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery. This tool can help treat a wide range of malignancies without harming surrounding healthy tissues and excluding the need for traditional surgery.
- LINAC (Linear Accelerator) is a machine that targets radiation at cancer tumors with pinpoint precision, it also spares surrounding healthy tissues.
- Brachy Therapy System Equipment with components for cancer treatment. It is a type of device utilized for interstitial brachytherapy, including wires, balloons, needles, and minuscule seeds.
Services Offered
According to WHO, the most common cancers in the world are breast, lung, colon and rectum, and prostate cancers. The organization also recorded that around one-third of cancer deaths came from tobacco use, high body mass index, excessive alcohol intake, low fruit and vegetable consumption, and lack of physical activity. Fortunately, several cancer cases can be arrested if detected early and treated efficiently.
Prevention and Early Detection Center
Wattanosoth Hospital has a prevention and early detection center that caters to patients of all ages and nationalities. It offers specialized and holistic care through multidisciplinary specialists, to allow efficient and early arrest of cancer.
The goal is to give complete services in the following:
- Cancer risk assessment and education
- Cancer risk screening and screening follow-up
- Molecular genetic testing and counseling
- Cancer Surveillance
- Personalized cancer prevention
Since Wattanosoth Hospital is labeled as the pioneer medical institution in Bangkok, Thailand, it is not surprising that it also offers various top-notch treatments, recovery processes, and diagnoses.
Treatments
- Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant
Wattanosoth Hospital has been conducting this method since 2008. It is a technique utilized to cure hematologic malignancies such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This will help restore the body’s capability to yield new blood cells after finishing remission through the administration of high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation.
- Specific Cancer Center
The center has various surgical oncologists and a multidisciplinary team of medical experts. They are devoted to alleviating the stress of cancer patients who have been diagnosed with nonterminal tumors. The specialists are highly knowledgeable, so patients get the best treatment and other types of required therapy.
- Hematology Center
The center doesn’t only provide diagnosis and treatment of cancer and further diseases associated with the blood. Still, it goes beyond – having a multidisciplinary medical team under notable international quality standards. One of their goals is to detect and cure the cause of cancer to lessen the adverse effects of abnormal cells.
- Medical Oncology Center
The primary objective of the center is to deliver OPD or OutPatient Department cancer services coupled with medical oncology, prioritizing treatment that improves the patient’s quality of life and avoids the chance of recurrences. It will also provide tailored plans and services to cater to the needs of every patient and family involved.
- Surgical Oncology Center
The center is committed to utilizing state-of-the-art medical technology in a compassionate environment. It includes surgical treatment of cancer, tumors, and malignant neoplasms. These are some of the primary surgical treatments provided: colon cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma.
- Breast Center
The center is composed of several medical experts such as oncologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and radiologists backed up with up-to-date technology for any procedure for breast cancer. It is also a one-stop service that applies international standards with a strict follow-up surveillance program for patients after procedures like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy.
- Radiation Oncology Center
The radiation oncology center of Wattanosoth Hospital is labeled as one of the best radiotherapy services in Thailand, equipped with radiation oncology equipment and specialists. The therapy includes the utilization of radiation and imaging modalities to combat cancer or malignant tumors.
- Ambulatory Chemotherapy Care
The chemotherapy center revolves around the use of chemotherapy by a group of oncologists and other medical professionals. The patients will receive tailored treatment prioritizing both their physical and mental needs. Treatments vary from person to person thus the medical experts will evaluate and plan the right procedure, these treatment procedures involve: Chemotherapeutic agents, Hormonal therapy, Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy, Monoclonal antibodies, and Molecular diagnostics or genetic testing.
Advantages
The primary advantage of having any cancer-related procedure done at Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth dwells in its extensive cancer care approach, in conjunction with its pledge to excellence, innovation, and compassion.
- Extensive Cancer Care Service/Approach – Wattanosoth Hospital delivers a wide range of cancer methods such as prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. The main objective of this strategy is to guarantee that cancer patients will receive complete and coordinated attention throughout their cancer journey.
- Multidisciplinary Approach – The hospital utilizes a multidisciplinary method that revolves around having multidisciplinary teams that will carefully deliberate the best management for their cancer patients on a systematic basis to achieve excellent holistic care. This method is typically adapted in the United States and is also widely accepted in several countries.
- Patient and Family-Focused Care – They emphasize “cancer holistic care”, which means that every patient will receive treatment with their mind, body, and spirit. Patients are also supported through integrative and complementary therapies available. Since they utilize holistic methods, counseling, educational, and physical activities are also reinforced. Most importantly, the whole approach will also include the family in any decision-making.
- Advanced Facilities and Equipment – As the first cancer medical institution in Thailand, they live up to their name by having state-of-the-art facilities and medical equipment. They also provide outstanding treatment, recovery processes, and diagnoses.
- Expert Medical Professionals – One of the key advantages of Wattanosoth Hospital is its team of highly qualified specialists such as surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, and support personnel. Therefore, every patient and their respective family are guaranteed to receive the topmost quality of care and management.
- Constant Clinical Research and Trials – The hospital is known to be actively affiliated with clinical research and trials to continuously discover new treatment modalities, procedures, therapies, and technologies. Every patient has complete access to the latest cancer care breakthroughs.
Disadvantages
No medical institution is perfect, it will always have a disadvantage that can be improved and considered if you are a patient.
These are some of the disadvantages of Wattanosoth Hospital:
- Cost of Treatment/Service – the cost of the procedure for any cancer care will vary depending on the patient’s situation, while the cost in Bangkok, Thailand is cheaper compared with other countries, it can still be expensive, especially for patients with average income.
- Accessibility – Wattanosoth Hospital is located in the middle of Bangkok, but there might be some challenges when it comes to accessibility, which is why if you are interested in availing of their services you can visit their page. If you’ve decided to conduct your procedure at Wattanosoth Hospital, we advise you to plan it carefully and book a hotel nearby.
- Language Barrier – the medical institution accommodates local and international patients; various hospital personnel can converse well with foreign patients. However, through the process, the language barrier can still be a struggle specifically during consultations, procedures, and interactions with medical specialists.
Conclusion
Overall, Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth poses as a glimmer of hope to every cancer patient on the local and international scene. As the pioneer and one of the most trusted medical institutions in the cancer care industry, they serve as a primary standard of distinction, innovation, and compassion. Thus, patients and families are assured that they will receive the best cancer management and treatment for their loved ones. Bangkok Cancer Hospital Wattanosoth is committed to delivering its best and going beyond!
References
(1) https://www.doctorsinthailand.com/hospitaldetail.php?hospitalid=7
(2) https://www.latlong.net/place/wattanosoth-cancer-hospital-bangkok-thailand-27371.html
(3) https://www.wattanosothcancerhospital.com/en/about
(5) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12194-cancer
(6) https://www.wattanosothcancerhospital.com/en/about/our-services