Skin Cancer

[angie]

My friend has just been diagnosed with Skin Cance.r

Can anyone recommend a good doctor in the Bangkok area who specialises in skin cancer.

Angie

[lopburi3]

The dermatology department of any hospital will have experts and many can be found on the internet pages of Bangkok hospitals. I had cancer diagnosed last year at Ladprao General Hospital by Dr. Tanomkit Pawcsuntorn and removed by surgeon at same hospital. Dr. Tanomkit also works at Bumrungrad Hospital. But am not recommending over others - many available.

[tedkarma]

Dr. Niyom at Bumrungrad is one of the best around. I've been diagnosed twice with different kinds of skin cancer and have seen good quality dermatologists in numerous countries in Asia, North America, and the Middle East. I trust Dr. Niyom. He is MOHS specialist and knows what he is doing. I fly up from Phuket twice year to see him - he's worth the trip.

They have a doctor search function on their website. He's at the skin clinic.

BTW, unless it is melanoma - he shouldn't worry too much. It is a shock the first time - but once you learn to keep good tabs on your body and get regular exams -you'll catch most of the new stuff quite early - or will even prevent it from showing up. A good doc will want to examine him from scalp to toes at least twice a year.

Doesn't mean one shouldn't be careful though as some skin cancers can be disfiguring if not caught early.

Finding non-lethal cancers now - is actually good luck - if such is the case. He'll learn how to prevent or head off melanoma - which easily metasticizes to other parts of the body.

Good luck.

[donna]

I second Dr Niyom. He is a lovely guy, and an excellent Doctor.

Good luck.

[sbk]

My dad gets numerous carcinomas, and he has them lasered off or frozen off. So far, the only disfiguring one was on his neck (kinda made him look like Frankenstein ). He has also had a melanoma which required part of his thumb to be amputated. Fortunately, it has not spread.

Regular check ups by the dr (and by yourself) and immediate attention to any unusual skin problems should keep things safe. I went to the skin clinic at Bumrungrad as well and felt very comfortable and confident with my treatment.

[waldwolf]

I believe self examination is most important. Who knows your body better than you do?

Earlier this year, I noticed a mole or wart type leasion on my leg would occassionally have a "scab" on it when I awoke in the morning. I mentioned it to one dermatologist who examined it and said it appeared "normal".

A few months later, I again mentioned it to a different dermatologist (same hospital) who recommended a biopsy. The results came back positive for Basal Cell Carcinoma. The dermatologist then did a "full-body" exam (with magnifying glass) and found another suspect leason on my back. Biopsy of second leason also came back positive for Basal Cell Carcinoma. Two weeks later had surgery to remove both leasions.

While the Basal Cell Carcinoma is normally a "slow growing" skin cancer, they can on occasion grow quite rapidly, therefore it is important treatment start as soon as possible. Once discovered, it is important you be re-examined every 4-6 months.

Age also appears to increase your chances for developing the disease, so periodic examination should be a priority for "Seniors".

[tedkarma]

I believe self examination is most important.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Self examination very important. But, as you make the point - there are areas of your body that are difficult for you to see - or see well. There are also some forms of age spots that can/will change over time. And there are a few things that look roughly similar to early melanoma.

As everyone above has said (waldwolf too) - a careful exam from a professional is critical.

And, of course, all the routine stuff - sun screen etc. I do most my outdoor activities, beach combing, jogging, etc before sun up or after sun down. Nice thing is many beaches are deserted then - and are all yours!

[donna]

My brother had a thing on his lip which was a bit of a scabby thing. He kept on picking at it but it didn't disappear. Eventually he went to the Dr and he took a biopsy.

It ended up being Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This is the second most dangerous, after Melanoma and before Basal Cell.

He was told that he had to go in for 'urgent' surgery and in the public health system in Australia that was about 6 weeks later. In that 6 weeks, he had another 7 pop up on the inside of his mouth.

He went into hospital and had a 'V' shaped chunk taken out of his bottom lip. After many consulations with the Dr he was advised that he had to have his entire bottom lip removed.

Sounds gross, but with the excellent procedures available today, they did a 'lip shave' where they cut off the whole lower lip, and then they drag the skin from the inside of his mouth over to form a new lip.

Now, he has a slight scar under his lip which goes down to the 'dippy' part of the chin, and he feels very little effects as a result of his surgery.

Every 6 months he goes to the Dr for a check-up and so far so good.

This must run in my family as I have had basal cell and so has my older sister.

Keep an eye on anything that you notice, and if the Dr doesn't know what it is, you can just get him to cut it off. Better to be safe than sorry I reckon.