Cancer is a leading cause of mortality around the world. It was responsible for the death of 9.6 million people in 2018 alone. In Thailand, around 70,000 to 100,000 people die from cancer every year, while in Qatar, it is the third-leading cause of death.

Research has shown that the five most common types of cancer in Thailand are liver, breast, cervical, lung, and colorectal cancer. In Doha, breast cancer has the bulk of the cases at 30.1%, but lymph node, thyroid, lung, and genital cancers are also occurring among men and women aged 65 and over, according to the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer.

Williams Cancer Institute offers advanced cancer treatments, such as intratumoral immunotherapy and cryoablation, to help improve disease prognosis, boost patient outcomes, and reduce side effects. Our services are available at our clinics in Atlanta, Georgia, and Mexico City, Mexico. Interested patients from Asia can visit our office in Ningbo, China, or contact us at 561-716-7731 for more information.

Intratumoral Immunotherapy

Intratumoral Immunotherapy is considered to be a revolutionary cancer treatment. It triggers the local and systemic immunologic responses of the body against tumor cells. The word ‘intratumoral’ means that the antibodies are directly injected into the cancer tumors, rather than through the vein (intravenous immunotherapy).

Experts believe that the way to beat cancer is to strengthen the body’s immune defenses. The therapy works to nudge the cancer patient’s immune system and target the cancer cells to be killed off before the condition worsens and cancer overruns the body. Simply put, intratumoral immunotherapy works like a vaccine that optimizes the cells in the body to inhibit malignant growth.

Cryoablation with Immunotherapy

Cryoablation entails freezing the tumor tissues so that they can be easily destroyed by necrosis and osmosis. According to journal Insights to Imaging, cryoablation has to be combined with immunotherapy to enhance the effects of killing the tumors.

Freezing the tumor can help release antigens in the immune system that would pave the way for improving the anti-tumor immune responses of the cancer patients. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, nudges the immune responses to eradicate the tumors.

Intravenous Immunotherapy combined with Intratumoral Injection of Immunotherapy

Also regarded as more comprehensive immunotherapy, this treatment is an enhanced version of the intratumoral injection augmented by other off label medications for the immune system. This can be combined with chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, depending on the doctor’s recommendations and evaluation.

Advanced Cancer Treatment in Thailand

In Thailand, cancer treatments mainly follow the same regulations and directives as to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agencies. But the country is also a leader in developing its advanced cancer treatments using immunotherapy.

A recent study from the experts at Chulalongkorn Hospital has shown that Thailand has made successful steps in this regard by curing certain blood cancers using “killer cells” during immunotherapies. However, the experts said they would need more studies on applying immunotherapy to solid cancerous tumors.

The cost of immunotherapy in Thailand is about 300,000 baht per dose or up to 8 million baht. Experts are developing their own locally-produced biologic drugs so that everyone can afford alternative cancer treatments in Thailand.

In Thailand, liver cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths. In 2018 alone, there were 23,296 new cases of liver cancer in the country. Prostate cancer is the 12th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Thailand, which recorded a total of 6,467 new cases in the same year.

Thailand has over 90,000 deaths due to cancer among a total population of 70 million. The country also has its own cancer strategy plan, but it only works at the national level. Therefore, many cancer patients and their families still need to shoulder the cost of advanced cancer treatments despite being widely available.

Advanced Cancer Treatment in Doha

Alternative cancer treatments in Doha, Qatar are actually free for all residents at the Hamad Medical Corporation. The state used to cover 80% of the oncology treatments, but this has now been 100% absorbed by the state.

The cases of cancer in Doha are low compared to global statistics, as Qatar only has less than two million people in the population. More male patients, however, are vulnerable to the deadly disease than females.

Cancer immunotherapy treatments are integrated into other treatment modalities like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. In some cases, it can also be used as the first line of treatment or standalone management.

Every patient’s case is different. Explore your options by talking to our doctor at Williams Cancer Institute.

Learn more about Cryoablation Immunotherapy at Williams Cancer Institute

Dr. Jason Williams’ approach combines interventional radiology expertise with a high level of knowledge about the science of immunology, cancer, radio ablation, cryoblation, and cancer immunotherapy.

Learn more about immunotherapy from this short video by Dr. Williams:

If you or a loved one have any more questions or need information about this new cancer treatment, Immunotherapy for cancer, OX40 cancer immunotherapy, or cd40 cancer immunotherapy, give us a call at Williams Cancer Institute.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.