How to get a biopsy in Chiang Mai

[cven]

Hi,

Hoping someone will know what the procedure is having already been recommended by my GP in Chiang Mai to have a biopsy on a mole to check for melanoma.

There seems to be general agreement on four good dermatologists in Chiang Mai as listed elsewhere on this site; Dr. Siri Chiewchanvit, Dr. Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong, Dr. Chatbongkoch Khemacheewakul and Dr. Ekarach Amornrungsun.

Does anyone know the rough cost of a biopsy or mole removal with any of these doctors and whether a biopsy can be done at the time of consultation, because I live more than an hour away from the city and work Monday to Friday. Of course I'll take time off if necessary as it's potentially so serious.

I've had this mole forever but it's periodically itchy and bleeds, often a sign of melanoma apparently and since my GP brought it to my attention I can't ignore it any longer.

Any advice much appreciated.

[Sheryl]

Prof. Siri would be my reocmmendation, but  he may suggest it be removed by a plastic surgeon to lessen scarring  --  usual procedure is to remove the whole thing then biopsy it, and to remove with wide enough margins that hopefully if it is malignant the margins will be clear and no need to go back and excise further. One would not usually want to  simply do a biopsy leaving the mole intact, since even if benign now it can later turn malignant. This means a fairly deep incision, so don't be surprised if a plastic surgeon is suggested  if the mole is in a visible  location.

 

 Costs will vary greatly according to where this is done. Sripat would be the least expensive but entail more waits. At a private hospital, depending on how deep the mole is, my guess would be 15-20K including the pathology cost. Sripat maybe 1/3 to 1/2 that. But the odds of having to make 2 trips is greater at Sripat. At a private hospital woudl usually be possible on a single visit, at Sripat due to patient numbers they might need to schedule it.

 

Prof Siri also has his own clinic in town, don't know if it is sufficiently equipped to do a minor surgical procedure or not. It is (or was, this is old info) at 199 Thannon Moon Muang - near Pratu Taphae and Sompet Market.

 

 

[cven]

Thanks for the info Sheryl,

Unfortunately, I have quite a few moles, perhaps it will be recommended to remove this particular one as it is the only one that changes, I hope not.

I will contact Dr. Siri's clinic and query them. It does seem likely that it will involve more than one trip.

I didn't know about Sripat so thanks again for that.