Best Bangkok hospital for facial skin cancer?

[Roo Island]

Yup. Sitting in the sun while young is catching up to me. I was told a few years ago to be careful but one spot is starting to bother me now. Need it looked at.

 

I normally go to Samitivej on soi 49. But wondering if there is a better place to go. This could be serious.

 

Thanks in advance!

[GinBoy2]

I had bowens disease, which is skin cancer under my left eye,  had it removed at Brumringrad back in 2018.

 

Scar today, you can see it, but it's not much.

 

Biggest thing you need to be careful about is that the surgeon doesn't stretch the skin, certainly if it's by the eye as mine was that it doesn't impair eye movement

[ezzra]

Gee. we could have done without your mug's graphics Thank you very much..

[GinBoy2]

11 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Gee. we could have done without your mug's graphics Thank you very much..

If you get facial skin cancer, what you see is the reality of what you're facing.

 

Maybe tough to see but thats what it is!

 

I'm just happy that it got caught in time, they tested the margins and I was clear.

 

A scar on my face is a small price to pay IMHO

[ezzra]

I did and had it treated in Melbourne but didn't plastered my mug all over the place, anyway, let it be now...

[norbra]

Can't be too careful,in the last 8 years I have had 5 Squamous cell carcinomas on my brow ,neck and ear, resulting in 3 skin grafts,my skull thickness reduced by 1.5mm,removal of lymph nodes and my ear reduced by half.

The grafts and lymph nodes all done under general anesthesia.

Followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments.

Skin grafts done in Australia, lymph nodes and ear done in Thai government hospital @100,000thb

Edited February 2 by norbra

[bkk6060]

"But wondering if there is a better place to go. This could be serious."

 

 

Yes,  I would go to your home country and get MOHS surgery.  Here, they wanted to make a 6 inch incision along my cheek down past my nose.  It would have disfigured me and made my face uglier then it is.  MOHS surgery is less invasive and they biopsy immediately what they remove and make sure they got it all. 

[GinBoy2]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

"But wondering if there is a better place to go. This could be serious."

 

 

Yes,  I would go to your home country and get MOHS surgery.  Here, they wanted to make a 6 inch incision along my cheek down past my nose.  It would have disfigured me and made my face uglier then it is.  MOHS surgery is less invasive and they biopsy immediately what they remove and make sure they got it all. 

I don't think MOHS is a regular procedure in Thailand.

 

At Brumungrad, which I still think is the best facility in Thailand, we can argue about cost, but the surgeon did a traditional deep removal of the legion and afterwards took samples of the margins for analysis.

 

My Doc here in the US says MOHS would have been the preferred method had I had it done here

Edited February 2 by GinBoy2

[Sheryl]

If in Bangkok, best option is the Government Institute of Dermatology

 

https://www.iod.go.th/en/

 

Go through after hours clinic is best. I can't recommend a specific doctor but tell them you need an acharn with expertise in skin cancer.

 

Otherwise Dr. Anna in Pattaya trained in US and specializes  in skin cancers

https://bangkokpattayahospital.com/doctor/anna-jaruwarn-m-d/

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

If you get facial skin cancer, what you see is the reality of what you're facing.

 

Maybe tough to see but thats what it is!

 

I'm just happy that it got caught in time, they tested the margins and I was clear.

 

A scar on my face is a small price to pay IMHO

Was it done by plastic surgeon? Or by dermatologist?

 

Usually for large removal area (or deep incision) they will refer to plastic surgeon for optimal cosmetic result. Costs more, though

[Tom100]

St Louis Hospital Bangkok

Red Cross Hospital Bangkok

 

 

[biggles45]

Had many skin cancers over the years, 78 now, removed by freezing and/or surgery. The last 2 years I have had laser treatments and I am pleased with the results. 

Much less time consuming than surgery (30-45 min for me), done in a specialist clinic and about one third the cost. Biopsies have show none have been Melanomas. 

I am in Angeles City, so my excellent US trained Doc is not much good to you but I would suggest you check the procedure out further based on my experience. 

[GinBoy2]

4 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Was it done by plastic surgeon? Or by dermatologist?

 

Usually for large removal area (or deep incision) they will refer to plastic surgeon for optimal cosmetic result. Costs more, though

Plastic surgeon

[GinBoy2]

1 hour ago, GinBoy2 said:

Plastic surgeon

As for the scar, the plastic surgeon did a good job, especially when you look at the location.

 

It's still visible but not bad.

 

One of the girls at work a few weeks ago when we were talking saw it asked what it was.

 

To enhance my bad boy image I told her it was from 'cage fighting' 

 

......she didn't believe me lol

 

But on a serious note, what the surgeon was concerned about was making sure that my lower eyelid wasn't stretched out of position, which he did a great job at

Edited February 2 by GinBoy2

[Roo Island]

18 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If in Bangkok, best option is the Government Institute of Dermatology

 

https://www.iod.go.th/en/

 

Go through after hours clinic is best. I can't recommend a specific doctor but tell them you need an acharn with expertise in skin cancer.

 

Otherwise Dr. Anna in Pattaya trained in US and specializes  in skin cancers

https://bangkokpattayahospital.com/doctor/anna-jaruwarn-m-d/

I went to BPH, but the doc I saw, a lady, but can't remember her name, recommended something like a punch biopsy. I was headed out of town for a few weeks so delayed the procedure. As you know, BPH doesn't have the best reputation. So I was looking for a second opinion and perhaps a less invasive biopsy technique, like a scrape.

 

I'll find out the doctor's name.

 

Thanks!

[Roo Island]

23 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

I had bowens disease, which is skin cancer under my left eye,  had it removed at Brumringrad back in 2018.

 

Scar today, you can see it, but it's not much.

 

Biggest thing you need to be careful about is that the surgeon doesn't stretch the skin, certainly if it's by the eye as mine was that it doesn't impair eye movement

 

Thanks for sharing. Shows how serious it is. I had a neighbor die from a spot on his ear. Didn't want to treat it and the cancer got to his brain.

[GinBoy2]

20 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Was it done by plastic surgeon? Or by dermatologist?

 

Usually for large removal area (or deep incision) they will refer to plastic surgeon for optimal cosmetic result. Costs more, though

One of the downsides of living in Thailand

 

I was, after tons of google searches convinced that this eruption on my face was some kind of eczema since my family had a history of it

 

So off i trotted to the local pharmacy and self treated myself with stronger and stronger cortisone creams until the dumb <deleted> that I am figured out this ain't working.

 

Now if I had living in the West I wouldn't have had access to the meds which I was treating my self diagnosis, and a real doc would have sent me off for a biopsy long before I actually did it

[superal]

16 hours ago, biggles45 said:

Had many skin cancers over the years, 78 now, removed by freezing and/or surgery. The last 2 years I have had laser treatments and I am pleased with the results. 

Much less time consuming than surgery (30-45 min for me), done in a specialist clinic and about one third the cost. Biopsies have show none have been Melanomas. 

I am in Angeles City, so my excellent US trained Doc is not much good to you but I would suggest you check the procedure out further based on my experience. 

I have similar experiences as you . I have had skin cancers operated on my arm , chest forehead and 6 months ago had part of my right ear removed but it does not notice too much as the surgeon reformed it . Also about 5 treatments of cryosurgery . All procedures were carried out in the UK. I have another small under my left eye and I am treating that with efudix / fluorourcil cream  that has cured a number of places on my face but the cream can cause your skin to redden temporarily .

I hear that skin cancer in Thailand is not common within the natural Thai person but maybe in expats etc and in a similar way , in Australia I believe skin cancer effects many of the white European immigrants . 

I try to avoid the strong mid-day sun and also wear a hat sometimes , especially when I played golf . Not the baseball cap as that does not protect your ears . Wider the hat rim the better .

[GinBoy2]

8 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

One of the downsides of living in Thailand

 

I was, after tons of google searches convinced that this eruption on my face was some kind of eczema since my family had a history of it

 

So off i trotted to the local pharmacy and self treated myself with stronger and stronger cortisone creams until the dumb <deleted> that I am figured out this ain't working.

 

Now if I had living in the West I wouldn't have had access to the meds which I was treating my self diagnosis, and a real doc would have sent me off for a biopsy long before I actually did it

Maybe a further cautionary note.

 

Even though I was stupidly self diagnosing, I had right at the start gone to a Doc in Khon Kaen who 'confirmed' my self diagnosis which led me down the road of stronger and stronger meds.

 

The reason I went to Bumrungrad in the first place was I thought they could/would prescribe stronger cortisone that I was buying.

 

I remember very well the dermatologist looking at me and telling me, "I don't think so, this needs a biopsy as soon as possible" 

 

Within two weeks I'd had the biopsy, confirmed what it was, and a plastic surgeon was taking care of it

[Roo Island]

2 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

Maybe a further cautionary note.

 

Even though I was stupidly self diagnosing, I had right at the start gone to a Doc in Khon Kaen who 'confirmed' my self diagnosis which led me down the road of stronger and stronger meds.

 

The reason I went to Bumrungrad in the first place was I thought they could/would prescribe stronger cortisone that I was buying.

 

I remember very well the dermatologist looking at me and telling me, "I don't think so, this needs a biopsy as soon as possible" 

 

Within two weeks I'd had the biopsy, confirmed what it was, and a plastic surgeon was taking care of it

Thanks for sharing. Got an appointment in 2 weeks at Samitivej. They do Mohs.

[JohnAllan]

On 2/2/2024 at 7:14 AM, Roo Island said:

Yup. Sitting in the sun while young is catching up to me. I was told a few years ago to be careful but one spot is starting to bother me now. Need it looked at.

 

I normally go to Samitivej on soi 49. But wondering if there is a better place to go. This could be serious.

 

Thanks in advance!

I've generally used Samitivej.

 

But I had a tumour removed in Chulalongkorn. 

 

Excellent nursing. And the doctors DO know what they're about.

[zhounan]

Try Ramathibodi Hospital, it's the Mahidol University hospital. They've also a cancer institute. It's near Phaya Thai Station and Anusawari.

[GinBoy2]

Me after 8 years of cancer removal

[watthong]

On 2/2/2024 at 7:44 AM, GinBoy2 said:

I had bowens disease, which is skin cancer under my left eye,  had it removed at Brumringrad back in 2018.

 

Scar today, you can see it, but it's not much.

 

Biggest thing you need to be careful about is that the surgeon doesn't stretch the skin, certainly if it's by the eye as mine was that it doesn't impair eye movement

 

Thanks for sharing. As they say a pic worth a thousand words, all the more so when it comes to medical matters. Much appreciated.

[GinBoy2]

4 hours ago, watthong said:

 

Thanks for sharing. As they say a pic worth a thousand words, all the more so when it comes to medical matters. Much appreciated.

A rather small inconsequential scar on my already ugly mug was a small price to pay.

 

My only regret was not taking it more seriously sooner.

 

After this thread I posted on my work fb about this.

 

I work for an airline and I tried to impress on the young pups the importance of sunscreen outside.

 

This is one of those things you never think or worry about when you are young, but Oh Boy does it have a long time bite you in the ass about it!

[Roo Island]

I've got an appointment with Dr Anna at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. She's really busy! They can't do Mohs surgery, so got another appointment the next day at Samitivej and they have one doc who can do Mohs. I'll have 2 solid opinions and can decide what to do after that.

 

Bumrungrad also can't do Mohs.

 

From Samitivej.

 

In response to your request, please be informed that we only have Dr. Paritas (Dermatologist) who performs MOHS surgery at our hospital. The patient will need to see the doctor for initial consultation, get a physical examination and discuss with the doctor for the details of surgery and if he is a good candidate for MOHS surgery.

 

[JohnAllan]

On 2/2/2024 at 7:14 AM, Roo Island said:

Yup. Sitting in the sun while young is catching up to me. I was told a few years ago to be careful but one spot is starting to bother me now. Need it looked at.

 

I normally go to Samitivej on soi 49. But wondering if there is a better place to go. This could be serious.

 

Thanks in advance!

I would normally use Samitivej - perfectly good - but, on this occasion, Chulalongkorn was more convenient.

 

A rectal tumour - checked, shrunk, and surgically removed; and no follow-up issues, to date.

[JohnAllan]

Just now, JohnAllan said:

I would normally use Samitivej - perfectly good - but, on this occasion, Chulalongkorn was more convenient.

 

A rectal tumour - checked, shrunk, and surgically removed; and no subsequent issues, to date.

 

[hellohello]

Hey Roo,

 

I just did a google search and there is a Dermo in Phuket at BKK hospital doing mohs.  FYI

 

[Roo Island]

11 hours ago, hellohello said:

Hey Roo,

 

I just did a google search and there is a Dermo in Phuket at BKK hospital doing mohs.  FYI

 

Thanks!