Cancer Treatment in Malaysia

Cancer overturns people’s lives signaling the beginning of an ugly cycle of pain - physical, mental, and unfortunately financial. Cancer is a condition in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and may spread to other parts of the body. There are over 120 types of cancer and can occur anywhere in the body.

To diagnose cancer, your physician may need to conduct some imaging procedures such as a CT scan, bone scan, PET scan, biopsy, and MRI. 

Do you know there were over 9.6 million deaths in 2018 with cancer as one of the leading causes of death around the world?

But because of modern medicine and advanced technologies invented, the treatment of cancer is easily available in some countries and the survival rate has tremendously increased. 

Somehow, when talking about cancer treatment, there comes other factors as well such as treatment costs or whether the treatment is available in your own country. 

Generally, the cancer treatment can burn a hole in your pocket, and sometimes, when the patient recovers can feel tortured as they have to get back to their normal lives with depleted savings in their account. Cancer treatment usually demands surgery, chemotherapy, and in some cases, immunotherapy and targeted therapy as well. Overall, cancer treatment varies according to the type of cancer the patient has. 

Why Choose Malaysia for Cancer Treatment?

Malaysia welcomes nearly 2.5 million medical tourists every year and is evolving as one of the giant medical tourist destinations in the world for people seeking budget-friendly cancer treatment. There are over 36 private and public cancer treatment centers nationwide out of which six are under the Ministry of Health and 27 are in the private sector. 

• Affordability: People prefer Malaysia for cancer treatment as they are assured of getting the best treatment over here without a burn in their pocket. Also, cancer treatment costs are comparatively less compared to other developed countries such as the UK or the United States. Additionally, the less cost doesn’t mean compromising the quality of the treatment. On the contrary, the treatment quality is equivalent to the treatment offered in hospitals in the UK or US. Treatment costs in Malaysia are 3-4 times lesser than compared to other developed countries. 

• Accredited and Certified Healthcare Organizations: The hospitals in Malaysia are equally equipped and have well-experienced oncologists, medical professionals, surgeons, and trained nurses. Malaysian hospitals are accredited by well-reputed organizations. There are seven JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals that are known to have expertise in different medical departments. Additionally, there are many hospitals that have an individualized wing for international patients and language translators. 

• Ministry of Health, Malaysia: Malaysia is a base for some of the best cancer treatment centers across the globe. The Malaysian Ministry of Health directly monitors the healthcare system in the private as well as public sectors. The country has some worthy cancer hospitals where you can receive international-quality patient care. 

• Medical Personnel: The medical team in hospitals is well-qualified and has international certifications and exposure as well.

• Easy Entrance into the Country: Malaysia allows individuals to enter and stay in the country for 30 days who are seeking medical treatment and healthcare services. Also, acquiring a medical visa for Malaysia isn’t difficult. 

Cancer Treatment in Malaysia: How Much Does it Cost?

The cost is a variable factor and can depend on other factors too such as the stage, type of cancer, age, and overall health of the patient and whether you choose to go for private or public treatment. Here’s the estimated cancer treatment cost in Malaysia for each of the cancer types:

What Factors Affect the Treatment Costs in Malaysia?

Following is a list of factors that are responsible for treatment costs in Malaysia:

• Type of Room: Let’s start from the basics. Cancer treatment usually includes surgery and chemotherapy. If you undergo surgery, you need a space for up to a week for surgical recovery depending on how serious the surgery is. If you’re okay with room sharing, then it may be as cheap as RM3 per day. However, if you want additional facilities such as aircon, TV, attached dining, business area, and other ultra-modern facilities, then it may charge up to RM95 per night.
  Somehow, post-operative care for cancer patients requires a week of monitoring. Unfortunately, if any complication arises, you may need intensive care, critical care, or a high-dependency ward that may cost up to RM 430 per night. 

• Consultation Fees: There is a long list of consultations if you’re referring to cancer treatment. You might need to consult the team of anesthesiologists, then with a surgeon, or maybe a radiologist afterward, then with another surgeon. You may also include additional visits to physiotherapists or other regular visits if the cancer is taking a long to overcome. For private doctors, the maximum consultation price is RM 235 and starts as low as RM 80. Nevertheless, the anesthesiologist’s consultation fee can cost up to RM630 per session which is necessary before the surgical procedure. 

• Surgery: Depending on the type and stage of cancer, the surgery may include the removal of a lump/lumps or invasive transplants, at worst. Although exact surgical costs aren’t found anywhere, the surgery fee shouldn’t exceed RM10,335 as set by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Also, the MOH has also set guidelines that if there are multiple operations in a single surgical session, then it should be 20-25 percent cheaper.
  It is also found via Google online that the cost of a mastectomy can cost anywhere between RM6,000 to RM12,000. This variation in the cost is because of the doctor’s expertise. 

• Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy: This is an alternative to surgery or if there are any cancerous cells left even after the surgical procedure. Doctors usually recommend a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is a process in which a high dose of ionizing radiation damages the cancerous cells. While government hospitals offer chemotherapy at a pretty good price which is as low as RM500 for a single session of radiotherapy, private hospitals chemotherapy anywhere between RM1,400 and RM4,800. Also, the MOH document says that the cost of chemotherapy should not exceed RM5,720, although consultation fees may range between RM860-1720.

• Other additional factors: There are other factors that contribute to the cancer treatment cost such as diagnostic procedures, imaging procedures, cost of traveling if you’re traveling from another country, food & accommodation, medical visa fees, etc.

Top Hospitals for Cancer Treatment in Malaysia

• Gleneagles Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: It is one of the leading hospitals in Malaysia accredited by JCI (Joint Commission International). Established in 1996, this hospital has been offering excellent surgical and medical services in various medical departments.

• Prince Court Medical Center, Malaysia: Established in 2002, it is one of the leading healthcare providers in Malaysia and the first private hospital in Klang Valley to receive JCI accreditation.

• Pantai Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: It is one of the premier hospitals that has been serving people all over the world since 1974. It is a one-stop integrated healthcare provider that excels in various departments such as Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, and Pediatrics.

• Pantai Hospital, Penang: Established in 1970, it is a multi-specialty hospital that provides excellent medical and patient care in various departments. 

• ParkCity Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur: It is a 300-bedded multi-specialty hospital that provides comprehensive medical care in various specialties such as Breast Surgery, Cardiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Gynecology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, and many more.

Leading Cancer Specialists in Malaysia

• Dr. Shaun Khoo: Dr. Khoo is one of the leading Surgical Oncologists with 20 years of experience. He holds expertise in palliative surgery for thyroid, breast, soft tissue sarcoma, colon, and rectal cancers, as well as multi-modality treatment and oncological resections.

• Dr. Leong Kin Wah: Dr. Wah is a renowned Medical Oncologist with 30 years of vast experience. He holds expertise in diagnosing and treating breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, lymphomas, and leukemias.

• Dr. Farhat Aziz Khan: He is a leading Medical Oncologist with 30 years of experience. He specializes in Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Brachytherapy, and Targeted Therapy.

• Dr. Tan Boon Seang: He is a Radiation Oncologist with 20 years of experience. He is proficient in various dialects including English, Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Teochew.

How to Apply for a Medical Visa in Malaysia?

Getting a medical visa for Malaysia is easy. Malaysia allows a single entry for a maximum stay of 30 days per entry. However, the documentation requirements may vary depending on the origin of your country. 

To apply for a visa, you must have:

• Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• Appointment letter from a doctor in Malaysia
• Certificate of vaccination

Bottom Line

Malaysia is a popular medical destination offering treatment at a reasonable price as compared to other developed countries.