Skin Cancer - Anyone Know A Good Doctor?

[cudaproject]

I need to get my skin checked out for the possibility of skin cancer. I live in Pattaya and due to all the stories of vastly overpriced doctors who are just doing things for the money at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, I decided to take a visit to Samitivej, Siracha.

I went to see the doctor yesterday and in short the appointment lasted about 2 minutes, with the doctor rather embarrassingly admitting she really wasn't an expert on it - She recommended Bangkok Pattaya Hospital - So I went there, to which I was quoted a minimum 6,000 Baht for a check - It's not an issue about the money - The point is, who's to say that I pay that and the doctor still doesn't know what they're talking about - Then i'm 6k lighter and still none the better off.

Does anyone know if there is a specialist either in the Bangkok or Pattaya area that is actually worth going to see?

[Tammi]

I know people who have used Dr. Niyom at Bumrungrad but don't know if he is good, bad or indifferent.

However, what MUST be done is that the doctor examines every inch of your body from the scalp to the soles of your feet and even between your toes.

You, yourself, should read up on the various skin cancers and do self examination and get your partner or a friend to look at hard to examine areas.

I think that Dr. Chanchai at PIH is quite knowledgeable.

Maybe it's better to see an oncologist and not a dermatologist?

[Mobi]

I don't think you will go too far wrong with Bumrungrad. It is a world class hospital.

Google their website and you can get a full list of doctors and their specialities.

Good luck

[fremmel]

Dr. Anna at Bangkok Pattaya is an excellent doctor. She practiced in the states for 15 years and is a board certified dermatologist there. She speaks colloquial English and is very familiar with western skin types. When I lived in Pattaya I would have her check me every 6 months (I have real fair skin). She picked up a couple of skin cancers while they were almost unnoticeably small. I'm not sure who you saw there that quoted 6,000 baht for a simple skin scan unless prices have really gone through the roof in the last 1 1/2 years. That sounds more like a scan and biopsy with lab work.

[dogblower]

I had about 30 spots burned off and a lump cut out of my arm last month at Pattaya International. What I liked most about it was that I strolled in without an appointment at about 10 in the morning and by around 3 that afternoon everything was done. I came back for a follow up and to get the results of the biopsy on the lump cut from my arm a week later - all good news.

The thing is, I only went in to have the lump on my arm sorted, but she immediately noticed some suspicious looking areas on my face and insisted on having a closer look. She then inspected the backs of my hands and my forearms and then asked me to remove my shirt so that she could check my back and shoulders. She also went over my scalp, back of my neck, behind my ears - a very thorough check.

Total cost was 15k. I think it was Dr Chanchai who did all the work. Her English is very good and she certainly seemed to know what she was looking for.

[cudaproject]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the hints..

I've booked an appointment already with Dr. Anna on Monday morning as the foreign skin knowledge is a good factor.. If i'm not entirley confident in what she says, then i'll check out Dr. Chanchai at Pattaya International... Actually i'll probably do both this week to be sure.

Thanks again and i'll report back with my thoughts..

[Tammi]

The Dr. Chanchai I know at PIH is male. The female doctor you saw sound good! Would really like to have her name. I, myself, don't particulatly like Dr. Anna but, as I've said before, the important thing is that your complete body is checked - and I mean complete! Don't feel shy about asking for a scalp to soles of feet check - that's what the doctor gets paid for and if you don't get it walk out and don't pay!

[griffer]

i have had skin cancer..it was spotted, fortutnately, while i was in hospital having a discectomy. I went to Bumrungrad and saw Dr. Supanee:

http://www.bumrungrad.com/thailand-expat/P...r-A-Doctor.aspx

i felt it was excellent service and not overpriced.

go back regularly for check-ups and get any suspects spots lasered there and then..it's not painful.

the doctor suggested i did a "body map" and draw on all my moles etc....then look for new moles or discolouration.

a friend of mine's mother died through "slow" diagnosis of skin cancer in uk...once it spreads deep into the skin(the dremis ?) it can quickly spead throughout the body and become practically impossible to treat.

the preventative medical care is so easy and painless, and the downside so potentially drastic, that in this climate some form of regular checkup would only seem sensible.

[donna]

ive used Dr Niyom at Bumrungrad and found him to be excellent. my friends in bkk have also used him and are very happy with the results.

[Wombat6]

Always best to get a specialist to check you out but if it is superficial skin cancer on the arms/legs, the application to the area with the sap of a green Papaya will normally clear it up, I have had friends who have used it with great results. (Check it out on the net!!)

[Orion76]

I've had two biopsies done by Dr. Niyom at Bumrungrad and he seemed pretty good.

However the actual biopsy/diagnosis is done in a laboratory by someone else, the dermatologist you consult with only does the cutting and the stitching.

You, yourself, should read up on the various skin cancers and do self examination and get your partner or a friend to look at hard to examine areas.

I think reading up on Melanoma while you are waiting for your biopsy result is a REALLY bad idea.

[Orion76]

if it is superficial skin cancer on the arms/legs, the application to the area with the sap of a green Papaya will normally clear it up.

I'm speechless....

[Andiamo]

ive used Dr Niyom at Bumrungrad and found him to be excellent. my friends in bkk have also used him and are very happy with the results.

Hi Donna,

This is a great thread and is pushing me to get some moles looked at, which after being here for a few years have grown!

Do you/anyone have a rough idea of price for Dr Niyom? for an initial checkup? (I understand biopsies etc will be more expensive).

Thanks in advamce

[Graham100]

What ever you do, do not get any possible or confirmed BCC's "burnt off or frozen". This is still a very common treatment even here in Australia. This treatment was shown to hide the cancer if the treatment did not work and also leaves an opaque scar where applied. Whilst i am not a Doctor, I grew up in a medical household where my father specialised in skin cancer treatment for 50 years. He uses a liquid phenol applied very sparingly to the BCC. This turns into a scab and falls off after about a week leaving no scaring. There are also a lot of doctors cutting moles off that can well be left. Most people have them and are not a concern. And yes whoever you see must do a full body check, even on the soles of your feet.

[Tammi]

ive used Dr Niyom at Bumrungrad and found him to be excellent. my friends in bkk have also used him and are very happy with the results.

Hi Donna,

This is a great thread and is pushing me to get some moles looked at, which after being here for a few years have grown!

Do you/anyone have a rough idea of price for Dr Niyom? for an initial checkup? (I understand biopsies etc will be more expensive).

Thanks in advamce

Baht 800 for a short appointment. There's also 120 for using the hospital.

[Crushdepth]

If you don't have any luck try Dr Taweeratana at Bangkok Hospital (in the Bangkok branch!). Excellent.

[cudaproject]

I went to see Dr. Anna this morning for a check up at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. I found her to be very thorough, from head to toe... everywhere. She was quite frank, she said there was nothing that showed to be of concern. She mentioned two moles which there could be a possibility in the future but certainly not know. She gave me the option of coming back to have them cut out for testin or coming back for another check at a later date...

I was pleased and very cheap for Bangkok Pattaya... 850 Baht.

The quote for the removal of 2 moles was 8k.

I am thinking of checking the Dr. at Bumrungrad on Wed as I am in BKK and would like to put the issue to bed so to speak.

[smilia]

How about a good doctor in Phuket? I heard there was a good doctor at one of the aesthetic clinics in Patong. I have also heard not so impressive reports about the "skin clinics' at bangkok Phuket hospital.

Any suggestions?

[Tammi]

I went to see Dr. Anna this morning for a check up at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. I found her to be very thorough, from head to toe... everywhere. She was quite frank, she said there was nothing that showed to be of concern. She mentioned two moles which there could be a possibility in the future but certainly not know. She gave me the option of coming back to have them cut out for testin or coming back for another check at a later date...

I was pleased and very cheap for Bangkok Pattaya... 850 Baht.

The quote for the removal of 2 moles was 8k.

I am thinking of checking the Dr. at Bumrungrad on Wed as I am in BKK and would like to put the issue to bed so to speak.

Good news but very wise to get a 2nd opinion though I think you will get the all clear from B'grad as well.

[sleepyjohn]

I was quoted a minimum 6,000 Baht for a check

They were having a laugh. How on earth could anyone justify that just to have a look over your body? They've obviously been learning how to steal from their American colleagues.

I had an itchy mole on my back frozen recently and a rash checked too and I'm sure it only came to about seven or eight hundred, including nitrogen, antibiotic liquid and another cream. That was the Ram at CM. My girlfriend's on the staff but I'm sure that didn't change things.

BTW I have heard that the benefits of Vitamin D and especially avoidance of the lack of it is so important it may be less risky to get sun than not to. It might be worth you stay-covered-ups checking it out. The usual disclaimers apply.

[Orion76]

I was quoted a minimum 6,000 Baht for a check

They were having a laugh. How on earth could anyone justify that just to have a look over your body?

"Checking" a suspicious mole involves excising the mole with a scalpel, stitching the incision and sending the mole to the lab for diagnosis. This procedure costs around 6000 bht.

[Andiamo]

ive used Dr Niyom at Bumrungrad and found him to be excellent. my friends in bkk have also used him and are very happy with the results.

Hi Donna,

This is a great thread and is pushing me to get some moles looked at, which after being here for a few years have grown!

Do you/anyone have a rough idea of price for Dr Niyom? for an initial checkup? (I understand biopsies etc will be more expensive).

Thanks in advamce

Baht 800 for a short appointment. There's also 120 for using the hospital.

Thanks Tammi! Much appreciated!

[Tammi]

I was quoted a minimum 6,000 Baht for a check

They were having a laugh. How on earth could anyone justify that just to have a look over your body? They've obviously been learning how to steal from their American colleagues.

I had an itchy mole on my back frozen recently and a rash checked too and I'm sure it only came to about seven or eight hundred, including nitrogen, antibiotic liquid and another cream. That was the Ram at CM. My girlfriend's on the staff but I'm sure that didn't change things.

BTW I have heard that the benefits of Vitamin D and especially avoidance of the lack of it is so important it may be less risky to get sun than not to. It might be worth you stay-covered-ups checking it out. The usual disclaimers apply.

Check it out here:

http://www.realage.com//ct/tips/2979

[Andiamo]

I went to see Dr. Anna this morning for a check up at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. I found her to be very thorough, from head to toe... everywhere. She was quite frank, she said there was nothing that showed to be of concern. She mentioned two moles which there could be a possibility in the future but certainly not know. She gave me the option of coming back to have them cut out for testin or coming back for another check at a later date...

I was pleased and very cheap for Bangkok Pattaya... 850 Baht.

The quote for the removal of 2 moles was 8k.

I am thinking of checking the Dr. at Bumrungrad on Wed as I am in BKK and would like to put the issue to bed so to speak.

HI cudaproject

Just wondered how you got on at Bumrungrad?

Thanks to this thread , whilst at Yanhee Hospital today with a friend, I decided to pop along to see a Skin doctor there. The consultation was only 300 bt, although I kinda of had to show her areas of concern and at one stage stripped off my top so she could examine me better as she didn't seem too bothered about a detailed check.. (That kinda forced the issue! You have to examine! )

She advised I remove a couple of moles to be sent off for a biopsy.

Am thinking about going to ST Louis or Bumrungrad though to see what those doctors say and how they would remove etc.

[cudaproject]

HI cudaproject

Just wondered how you got on at Bumrungrad?

Thanks to this thread , whilst at Yanhee Hospital today with a friend, I decided to pop along to see a Skin doctor there. The consultation was only 300 bt, although I kinda of had to show her areas of concern and at one stage stripped off my top so she could examine me better as she didn't seem too bothered about a detailed check.. (That kinda forced the issue! You have to examine! )

She advised I remove a couple of moles to be sent off for a biopsy.

Am thinking about going to ST Louis or Bumrungrad though to see what those doctors say and how they would remove etc.

Hi Andiamo...

I didn't get chance on wednesday to go to Bumrungrad, as my meeting finished at 3pm and that's when Dr. Niyom finishes on Wed, hopefully I will get up there next week.. I will let you know. I'm still quite concerned about one mole which Dr. Anna (Bang pattay H) didn't seem so bothered about... It will be interesting to see what is sadi by the Dr. at Bumrungrad..

I hear that unless you get a whole body search, then the Dr. isn't much good... Dr. Anna made me strip off totally naked when I went to see her... Whilst the nurse was watching A good sign at least!

Let me know if you go to Bumrungrad before me? Dr. Niyom is the one to see, according to this thread... or Dr. Supanee

[deejah]

i would like to give the heads up about the sun

i spent the last few weekends in the sun and now a suspicious patch of skin is acting up, flaring and a bit painful

so from my own personal experience and test, the sun's uv rays may actually be dangerous as is commonly reported

and now i am on the net researching and looking for a doctor

so please beware

green papaya sap???

wow

before i do a search on natural remedies, can you enlighten us?

i am sure there are many effective alternative treatments we dont hear much about

where can i readily get this in pattaya?

any other natural remedy suggestions?

i am thinking of applying some cortisone on this spot of mine just to see what happens

any warnings or suggestions?

on second thought, maybe better i use aloe vera

yes?

as for doctor and hospital pricing, do folks find they get their the information they need simply by asking how much a procedure or medicine costs before the treatment?

i know a lot of questions, concerns, and issues but i am sure some of you can keep up

thanks

[deejah]

very good news (knock on wood)

less than 24 hrs frequently applying aloe vera and i notice a significant difference

less inflamed, less sore, and a decrease in circumference

i hope this helps someone out there

(this might sound strange but i am visualizing it disappearing too)

[lopburi3]

This is a two year old thread. If you suspect skin cancer please check it - it is painless and not expensive. I had basil cell on nose a few years ago - it did not heal using normal Betnovate-N cream for simple infection but did seem to get better using expensive Chinese Aloe-vera based cream for a period of time - but never completely healed. Luckily this was a very slow growing cancer so no great harm done by the delay (although nearly required skin graft) - but will not do again.

[BKKdreaming]

Hi

any update on specialists in Bangkok,that will check me head to toes and hopefully at Thai prices,

I went to Bumrungrad a couple years ago and had some basil cells taken off, all was OK but it was 25,000 Baht,

yes it was in a surgery room and local anesthesia but I was out of there in 3 hours,

and they did not do the head to toe inspection which after reading this thread seems like neglect !

anyway I am light skinned, blond when I was younger and blue eyes, plus lived in california and at the beach most of my life, so all the things to look at.....

I know some of these doctors work at one hospital a few days and another a few days,

thanks for the updates, PMs are OK if you want to keep it private

thanks for your hrlp

BK

[lopburi3]

I have recently used both Dr.Duangkamol Thasanapongsakul and Dr.Chaiprasit Balmongkol for laser removals at Vejthani Hospital. Both have western experience so some idea of our skin problems/skin cancer. In the case of Dr. Chaiprasait it was several hundred growths on may back in one session of several hours after he asked if want to remove them all (one was the original problem). Both were very good and careful with return check ups (no charge other than medication) to make sure healing was complete.

You do need to tell doctors here what you want so if you want exam head to toe tell them so.