Overview of pediatric cancer care in Thailand
There are over 40 radiation therapy centers in Thailand that provide the services, but due to limitations in resources and radiation therapy personnel who need specialized knowledge, only a few centers are able to treat pediatric cancer patients who need thorough and delicate treatment and care. Many pediatric cancer patients have been sent to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital for treatment because it has the necessary equipment and medical personnel, including pediatricians, surgeons, oncologists, and anesthesiologist specialists.
Pediatric brain tumor is the second most common cancer type, after leukemia, in children. Treatment for brain tumors in children typically involves radiation therapy, which has a high success rate in terms of survival. Radiation therapy for children with brain tumor is usually delivered to the brain, or may also be delivered to the spinal canal, which may have side effects on other internal organs such as the ears, eyes, lungs, heart, liver, and abdomen. However, using protons may reduce the risk of these side effects, as well as hearing loss, hormone levels, cognitive development, and intellectual ability. This reduction in side effects also helps lower the risk of other types of cancer when the child grows up and helps decrease the impact on the child’s daily life.
From 2016 to 2020, the number of pediatric cancer patients in Thailand who underwent radiation treatment increased significantly, with over 20% of Thailand’s patients treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Additionally, the proportion of pediatric brain cancer patients treated at the hospital has also increased compared to other types of cancers.
The Hopes of Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients
Dr. Kanjana Shotelersuk, a pediatric radiation oncologist, discussed the experience of caring for pediatric cancer patients.
“After treatment, the doctor needs to monitor the patient’s condition continuously and may find that the child has a chance of developing complications and side effects, including reduced learning ability, from the radiation therapy. The recent establishment of proton therapy facility at our hospital is a new hope for us to provide better quality of life for pediatric cancer patients.”
“Despite the technology availability, the challenge is the cost of proton therapy for treating children with brain tumors is approximately THB 1.3 million per person. King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Proton Center have therefore initiated the fundraising campaign that offers opportunities for patients who lack financial resources but are in need of treatment.”
The careful selection of pediatric brain cancer patients for participation in the project will be conducted by the committee in order to select Thai children aged 1-18 years who have been diagnosed with brain cancer that requires radiation therapy covering the brain and spinal cord (craniospinal Irradiation). This must be a patient who has been considered to be lacking financial resources and deserving of support to provide equal opportunities to all groups.
Be a donator to the Proton Therapy for Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients campaign
Join in the effort by making a donation through the E-Donation system by scanning the QR code through the bank’s mobile application.
Additionally, donations can be made directly to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital’s account at Krung Thai Bank, Branch: King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Account number 059-1-93894-0.
Receipts from donations can be used for tax deductions in twice the amount donated.
