Pre-Cancerous Spot On Forehead

[sarahsbloke]

I had this spot on my forehead, just like a normal pimple, quite small.

Bit of dry skin on top, bled if you scratched it, been there 8 months.

I started to think it was abnormal so went along to Chiang Mai RAM hospital this afternoon for them to have a look.

Very quick, shown in to see a nice lady dermatologist, that's a pre-cancerous spot she says, caused by the sun.

Easy to fix, just hold still while I spray with this can of liquid nitrogen ............. 10 second later, all done.

You will have a burn blister for about a week, then it will be back to normal.

That wouldn't get better without treatment, leave it and it would become a cancer, use more sun screen in future.

Lets look at any other spots on arms or neck, that's a mole, that's caused by old age (thanks a lot), these are sun related but benign.

(various moles and freckles on my arms and hands)

Less than 1/2 hour in the hospital, cost a very expensive 600bht.

Well worth having any strange spots or moles looked at IMHO

Easier than fixing cancer, and skin cancer on the forehead and nose is VERY common in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

Be aware it could return, even if pre-cancer. I had to have several treated more than once before they died. That dry ice method is not very precise and makes a mess. Much prefer laser treatment as it is a clean hole and seems to heal faster. I am surprised that no biopsy was done on something the you had that long and was bleeding. I had my first one at age 39 and same symptoms, if top layer removed would lightly bleed. Doctor was sure non cancer because of age but did check and came back positive and had operation to remove. Basal cell carcinoma. Slow growth but it is a cancer.

[Farma]

Same here, I prefer Laser. I've had 5 burnt out in the past 2 years. No pain, quick and heals nicely.

[sarahsbloke]

So have you guys had the nitrogen treatment at all?

I have a red bump on my forehead now, 1/2 inch in diameter, with a blister 1/4 inch across in the centre.

(Do you think this makes me look like Van Dam)

If the nitrogen makes a mess, it is yet to become apparent, I was just glad it was done so quickly.

I asked the doctor if I would need to go back, and she said no, it's done, in a very confident manner.

Edited July 23, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[lopburi3]

I have had the cold blast several times and one time it worked on one but not two others and other time none were killed and all had to be laser treated by another doctor to get rid of them. The mess is the scab that lasts forever (it seems).

[lopburi3]

For me there is no after hurt with laser - there was with nitrogen. Below is from WebMD

The risks of cryosurgery include:

Scarring, including a white spot (hypopigmentation).

Pain or stinging during and after the procedure.

A longer recovery time than other procedures that remove skin cancers.

Infection.

What To Think About

Cryosurgery is an efficient procedure if there are many skin cancers that need to be destroyed or treated.

Cryosurgery wounds heal slowly and can be painful.

Cryosurgery destroys tissue, so there is no way to obtain a sample (biopsy) for diagnosis.

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cryosurgery-for-nonmelanoma-skin-cancer

[sarahsbloke]

Thanks for the link

I was given no anaesthetic and no dressing, told to treat as normal, apply an antibacterial cream twice a day.

It didn't hurt while being done, and still doesn't hurt 5 hours after.

I'm not keen on having a white scar, but maybe it won't happen.

The site suggests a 99 percent cure rate for what I had at one treatment, which seems like pretty good odds to me.

Only time will tell now.

[lopburi3]

Suspect that rate depends on doctor/equipment a bit. I am very sure my second treatment was done with a defective gun as it was 100% failure. Although did not hurt as much as the successful treatment.

[MisterMan]

I just came across this story about a guy with skin cancer. He used something called black salve. I know him and know he is not a looney or some kind of crystal/ esoteric wierdo. I was amazed by his story.

My friend bought the black salve and I tried it on a few spots but nothing happened however she had a different reaction.

Worthy a read!

great photos too.

http://www.billolearyphuket.com/ArticleView.asp?ArticleID=33

[PaulDee]

I've been treated for actinic keratosis with both methods (liquid nitrogen and laser) at different times over the last 30 years and had equal success. What impresses me most about this post is the low fee. 600 baht for specialist, treatment, exam, etc., all inclusive! But Chiang Mai is too far.

I would be interested in knowing if such deals are available in the Pattaya area. I've been paying 1,500 baht and more at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya for liquid nitrogen treatments; the fee for a biopsy is 6,000 to 8,000 baht. I don't want to sacrifice effectiveness for price--particularly where health is concerned, but the procedures are standard practice, so if I can slash the expense I could afford to visit a <br>dermatologist that much more often.

Can anyone recommend an affordable dermatologist in or around Pattaya?

Edited July 25, 2010 by PaulDee

[sarahsbloke]

2 days later .........

Still no pain, blister looks a bit nasty, about 1/2 inch across and surrounded by a thin line of reddened skin.

I looked a bit like Van Dam at the start but now most of the swelling has gone down.

[Farang0tang]

I went to the Skin Hospital in bangkok, got the laser treatment for a spot on side of face, and a biopsy report emailed to me within the week.

Asked for full costs beforehand = around 10k. This seemed reasonble. For peace of mind. Or even if it was the big C!

Told the doc to be upfront, he replied "ok, I dont think it is a mole" (YIKES!) "i will email you the biopsy as soon as possible"

My understanding of the Thai language is very limited, but I did pick up a few excited "Yai's" whilst doc was excavating with the beamotron - (but seriously it was painless).

Collected a prescription from the hospital pharmacy on my eay out - a tiny pot of some sort of cream, which was marked as 4,000Bht! But was all in the 10,000 price.

By the way the biopsy report gave me the all clear. Now 1 month later there is virtually no mark at all.

[sarahsbloke]

I'm not really sure why you guys want a biopsy.

The lady who dealt with me (Thai with strong American accent spoke perfect English), had absolutely no doubt about what was what with the skin blemishes.

I wonder how many of these hospitals are making extra profits by doing treatments that are unnecessary.

As for the cream, she asked me what I had at home, I replied 'systral' at 100bht a tube. Use it twice a day she said.

Edited July 25, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[graeme72]

I just came across this story about a guy with skin cancer. He used something called black salve. I know him and know he is not a looney or some kind of crystal/ esoteric wierdo. I was amazed by his story.

My friend bought the black salve and I tried it on a few spots but nothing happened however she had a different reaction.

Worthy a read!

great photos too.

http://www.billolear...sp?ArticleID=33

I'm an Australian who has had over 100 skin (squamous cell) cancers removed over a 20 yr period, the 1st 16 yrs by surgical removal, (almost invariably leaving bad scarring), and spray can freeze burning ( very painful), the next 2 yrs by laser surgery which is far superior ( minimal pain and scarring) and now using Black Salve and having the same results as Bill O'Leary, I've been treating my legs so not the same amount of pain as Bill and only for 2 days. Have a read of his story - link above, so I'm quite happy to keep using it. If nothing happens to a spot after you apply it it's not cancerous or the cancer is deeper down and it will take longer to reach it. Read more at www.bevanpotter.com/ . It arrived here 7 days after ordering.

[Sateev]

We need to be careful, as it seems that we are talking about two different lesions - PRE-cancer (actinic keratosis), and actual basal or squamous cell cancer. Any skin doctor will be able to decide if a biopsy is necessary, based on size, pigmentation, induration, etc. The usual approach is conservative - zap it with LN2, and see if it stays gone. If not, biopsy it. Skin cancers (other than melanoma, which is quite distinctive and aggressive) move slowly, and you need to keep track of skin changes yourself, as most doctors will not even note them. I personally agree with previous posters - the LN2 treatment is spotty, and depends largely on technique and your skin condition. My doc says she sprays it so it stays white (frozen) for 5-10 seconds (?). I have had to have repeat treatments on several spots...

600 baht seems about right to me to remove an actinic keratosis; 10K seems exorbitant, even for a biopsy of a suspected carcinoma. Probably farang pricing.

There are creams that you apply to your whole face every night for about three weeks that effectively treat actinic keratoses, even ones too small to see. The down side is a generalized facial rash that you have to live with for up to a couple weeks after treatment. The rash can be treated, though with topical cortisone. The cream may or may not be available in Thailand, and is QUITE expensive in the US, but it works.

When in doubt, get a second opinion.

Sateev

[glen]

Hi all,

Thanks for skin cancer info. I agree that the Black Salve ointment seems good. Im another pink-skinned Oz whose had skin problems since my 20s.

Here in Bangkok I go to Samitivej dermatology, recommended originally by embassy. Theyre good. Have had the Liquid Nitro freeze, and laser, and occasionally surgery, which they have a plastic surgeon do. The advantage of treatment here is that its still less costly than Oz and you can usually get appointments quickly, unlike Oz. Ive also used Curaderm BEC5, which like Black Salve, is another Oz product, but illegal to buy in Oz (or Thailand) so you have to get it by Internet (expensive $200 Oz for a small tube). I think Aldara is ok despite the rave against it - think you need a PX for it though. Also as a preventative Retin-A is quite useful and available over the counter here.

best, Glen

[Bloodnut]

This Black Salve stuff cost me A$99 plus $8 postage ( internet paid with Visa card ) and I've used it not only for my many BCC's but also shared it with upwards of a dozen friends.

It works. It really does and costs less than 3000bht for a lifetimes' personal supply. That's cheaper and more effective than any other method.

Our bodies heal themselves after the salve kills just the cancer cells.

Suggestion - make your friends buy there own small one. Actually the A$45 little tub is more than enough for a lifetime for one person.

Check out this amazing story http://www.billolearyphuket.com/ArticleView.asp?ArticleID=33

It has Bill O'Leary's true story with many sometimes disgusting pics - all the info and details are hot links about where to get the stuff, how to use it, etc.

You can also email Billo - he answers all his mails.

If you don't want to read it but still purchase the stuff just go to http://www.bevanpotter.com/

and half way down the page is the Black Salve - for Dogs Cats and Horses... That's because it's illegal to sell to humans. It can't be patented because it can be made at home.

Big Pharma and Big Medical will always debunk it because 25% of the white-skinned population on planet earth will get a Basal Cell Carcinoma if they live long enough.

If you can fix it with a very effective home remedy then that's billions and billions of dollars not going to skin doctors and Big Pharma and Surgeons and every government agency with their hands in the till.

Oh yeah - if you want to know why something so effective as Black Salve is ridiculed and banned - just follow the money... It's a crime - but I'm not playing the skin cancer rip off game anymore.

I'm using Black Salve on every freckle bump blister pimple mole from now on. If my skin does not sting after 1 hour - then I know it was never cancer.

If it does , it is a pre-cancer or a full-blown one. Either way it just kills that cancer and leaves the good skin and flesh alone. Some people have a bit of a red patch that goes away in a day or 2.

Full instructions on use here. http://health.centreforce.com/health/cansinstruct.html

Good luck.

[sarahsbloke]

The Ln2 did not hurt me at any time, almost healed now, another week and I will know if I am cured.

Be very wary of people who join a forum just to advertise a product, I wouldn't touch it (black salve) with a barge pole.

Now would anyone like to buy some snake oil, it was what stopped the LN2 hurting me ...... only $500 a tube ............

Edited August 1, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[thaibound2]

hey guys i need treatment for some moles in bkk could nay of you recomend a good place to go, cheap and efficant but also leave good results ie no scarring etc?

thanks