Popular Post Inderpland Posted June 26, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2021 (edited) About 10 months or so ago I go (I presume) an insect bit my neck, slightly behind what I can see when looking at myself in the mirror. It itched for a long time, then almost disappeared, rerappeared (itched) and so on until a few days ago I was in the gym and close to a wall with mirrors at a 90 deg angle towards each other. I then saw a bright red/purple unevenly shaped spot and I booked an appointment at the dermatology center of BHP the next day. They did a biopsy and removed the mole/spot/tumor with laser. So far nothing surprising (other than me feeling like a complete idiot that I didn't investigate this "insect bite" much earlier) but then the dermatologist said the results would not be back for one week because there are only 2 specialists (I forgot the correct term he used to describe them) in the whole of Thailand that does biopsy analysis and they're both attached to research institutions in Bangkok. Only 2 specialists in the whole of Thailand, a country that is becoming a medical hub, seems very much on the low side to me. Anyway, if any of you have been in my shoes and have some advice I will be very grateful while I bite my nails and wait for the restults coming on Friday. Edited June 26, 2021 by Inderpland 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 I think what the doctor meant was not that there are only 2 docto45s who do path exams on biopsies (there are scores of them) but rather that there are only 2 with adequate expertise in identifying skin cancers, and this I can well believe. Skin cancer is very rare in Thais. You seem to have seen a male dermatologist? As the country's best dermatologist for skin cancer is at BPH but female (Dr,. Anna). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tifino Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 you're lucky your Dr wasn't one of the bunch - that simply brings out the Liquid Nitrogen to Freeze it off (Out of Sight Out of Mind) Last year down one side of Shin, I too thought was an insect bite... - it was still there 6 months later, after first not being the size of a small zit. ' My Dr responded accodringly though... and it turned out to be a SCC My good fortune in having it analysed was after I had a week earlier put on a Poultice (thinking there was some deep splinter) A day later it ballooned and broke open by itself - so off to the Doctor as mentioned... (the inflammation circle was a 3cm diameter by then) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteBuffaloATM Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 morning routine to include strong DEET insect repellent claim on any medical insurance cant get cancer from insect bites avoid beaches with sand flies avoid jungle walks expedite test result Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inderpland Posted June 26, 2021 Author Share Posted June 26, 2021 (edited) 49 minutes ago, Sheryl said: I think what the doctor meant was not that there are only 2 docto45s who do path exams on biopsies (there are scores of them) but rather that there are only 2 with adequate expertise in identifying skin cancers, and this I can well believe. Skin cancer is very rare in Thais. You seem to have seen a male dermatologist? As the country's best dermatologist for skin cancer is at BPH but female (Dr,. Anna). Yes, I have used Dr Anna in the past and would have preferred her but that would have meant waiting several days as she only works part time 3 days a week in BPH. In the end I don't see what she could have done differently unless she herself has the experise to analyse the biopsy? Edited June 26, 2021 by Inderpland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 2 minutes ago, Inderpland said: Yes, I have used Dr Anna in the past and would have preferred her but that would have meant waiting several days as she only works part time 3 days a week in BPH. i know Dr. Anna has a specific pathologist she uses, likely has shared this info with others in the department. Just be grateful the biopsy will be read by someone with the necessary expertise. P.S. the "medical hub" bit is just hype. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonray Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 3 hours ago, Inderpland said: I then saw a bright red/purple unevenly shaped spot Sounds like a hickey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inderpland Posted June 26, 2021 Author Share Posted June 26, 2021 12 minutes ago, tonray said: Sounds like a hickey Not very funny given the circumstances. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 On 6/26/2021 at 12:23 PM, tifino said: you're lucky your Dr wasn't one of the bunch - that simply brings out the Liquid Nitrogen to Freeze it off (Out of Sight Out of Mind) Actually Liquid Nitrogen is a standard treatment worldwide and has been for decades. Nothing wrong with it in my opinion for small possible bcc/scc type cancers (and I have had many skin cancers removed). The liquid nitrogen is 99% effective in killing saving biopsy and follow up wide margin surgery if positive. I have had the issue of hospital not having liquid nitrogen and having to undergo much, much more invasive expensive laser/biopsy/surgery/antibiotics. Give me the nitrogen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tifino Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 1 hour ago, lopburi3 said: Actually Liquid Nitrogen is a standard treatment worldwide and has been for decades. Nothing wrong with it in my opinion for small possible bcc/scc type cancers (and I have had many skin cancers removed). The liquid nitrogen is 99% effective in killing saving biopsy and follow up wide margin surgery if positive. I have had the issue of hospital not having liquid nitrogen and having to undergo much, much more invasive expensive laser/biopsy/surgery/antibiotics. Give me the nitrogen. when DR first saw mine. on the Calf; he had full intention to again use the LiqN like he does on my face many a time... - but after his closer look see, I ended up leaving his Surgery with stitches; covering the hole the size of the end of a toothpaste tube. The dissected 'Core' looked just as sizable in the Specimen Jar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaifish Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Go to a Hospital that can do a pathology test on a suspicious skin growth if in doubt. My brother passed from a melanoma 56 years old. I got biopsy results back today from a freckle that looked odd. Fortunately benign. Long time dead.... Bangkok Hospital Korat.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inderpland Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 So the biopsy came back as positive for basal cell carcinoma, superficial type. Still a bit shaken that I have a cancer diagnosis but I guess it could have been a lot worse (melanoma). I'll book an appointment with Dr. Anna at BPH for a consultation and full body skin check. And a piece of heartfelt advice to you all; don't forget to apply proper sun lotion before heading out into the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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