Melanomas - who to see in Chiang Mai

[Saan]

I imagine it is not a very common problem amongst Thais but I'd like to know if anyone on the forum has been treated for a melanoma or skin cancers in Chiang Mai. In the past, in Australia? I would see a dermatologist but I have not seen one mentioned here.

[evenstevens]

yes i have had melanomas cut out of me at c/mai ram hospital,three yrs back,,great doc ,great op ..and made a full recovery

they have just recently built a new clinic on the 5 th floor,where i do a 3 month full check up with a dermogolist,

apart from her excellent service she is a real cutie

be best to drop in( can park your car on the 5th floor) and get appiontment ,or with luck u may get a on the spot check up etc etc would give u my docs name but unfortunately i don t know it,but its a long name..

get in quick as melanomas are real killers in a short space of time

approx 600 baht doc service fee,plus any burn off charges etc etc

c/mai ram is a first class act , i assure you of that

[noise]

I, too, am happy with the Chiangmai Ram dermatology clinic and they will refer patients to new oncology lab at Suan Dok with its new PET-CT scanner when warranted (i.e., when additional testing that exceeds Ram's capabilities is indicated .

[elektrified]

The best skin doctor in town is Ajaran Siri Chiewchanvit. He is considered one of the best doctors in Thailand. You'll have to search the forum for his contact details. Many times when another dermatologist in town recommends surgery for skin cancer, it is Doctor Siri who who is the one who will actually be your surgeon.

The g/f just tried calling him this morning to see if she could get in to see him at his 9-12:00 Sunday clinic but apparently he no longer has Sunday clinics. I think he no longer has Sripat or RAM clinics but has evening clinics at his Moon Muang clinic.

[edwinchester]

yes i have had melanomas cut out of me at c/mai ram hospital,three yrs back,,great doc ,great op ..and made a full recovery

they have just recently built a new clinic on the 5 th floor,where i do a 3 month full check up with a dermogolist,

apart from her excellent service she is a real cutie

be best to drop in( can park your car on the 5th floor) and get appiontment ,or with luck u may get a on the spot check up etc etc would give u my docs name but unfortunately i don t know it,but its a long name..

get in quick as melanomas are real killers in a short space of time

approx 600 baht doc service fee,plus any burn off charges etc etc

c/mai ram is a first class act , i assure you of that

Chatbongkoch Khemacheewakul, is that the docs name?

[Sparkles]

yes i have had melanomas cut out of me at c/mai ram hospital,three yrs back,,great doc ,great op ..and made a full recovery

they have just recently built a new clinic on the 5 th floor,where i do a 3 month full check up with a dermogolist,

apart from her excellent service she is a real cutie

be best to drop in( can park your car on the 5th floor) and get appiontment ,or with luck u may get a on the spot check up etc etc would give u my docs name but unfortunately i don t know it,but its a long name..

get in quick as melanomas are real killers in a short space of time

approx 600 baht doc service fee,plus any burn off charges etc etc

c/mai ram is a first class act , i assure you of that

Chatbongkoch Khemacheewakul, is that the docs name?

Yes , I see her every 3 months.Having had 2 melanomas removed in Australia I am well aware of potential danger and would prefer my Australian specialist however not possible.

Most skin damage is done during our early years in my case surfing ,out door work ,sport but wise to cover up and use sun screen wherever possible especially in this climate.

I average about 20 bcc's frozen every visit but melanoma is the killer and you can,with experience, identify yourself except of course when they are on your back and self diagnosis is playing with fire that's why if you are in the "high risk" group a 3 monthly visit is a must. Dr Varichporn is also back from the US and at RAM

[northernjohn]

Here is the list from the pinned topics up above.

Not sure how up to date it is.

DERMATOLOGY (Skin)

Prof Dr. Siri Chiewchanvit

119 Moonmuang Road, A Muang,

Chiang Mai 50200. Tel: 053 357085

Dr Ekarach Amornrungsun

Rajavej Hospital, 053-801999

CHATBONGKOCH KHEMACHEEWAKUL,M.D

My own recommendation

Chiang Mai Ram Hospital

VACHIRAPORN SUJARITWANICHPONG, M.D.

Recommended by several members

Chiang Mai Ram Hospital

[Chao Lao Beach]

Can I recommend you contact the Health Mod Sheryl, my experiences is that most Thai dermatologist are incompetent regarding this. There are a few that are used to looking at white skin (experienced in the west) and understand this subject, very few.

There have been some threads on this in the past, I would be dead if I didn't get a 2nd opinion in Oz and went into surgery that afternoon. The reason I went was a Thai said I needed 3 cut out, (which I questioned as nothing had changed and had been identified as freckles in Oz) amazingly he missed TWO melanomas completely. The 3 he wanted cut out were nothing, I still have them. A gut feeling told me to go to Oz, so I bought a ticket for the following week.

One on my back was on the verge of spreading like a wild fire. Amazing Thailand alright, miss the killers and cut out freckles.

PS, I have not been to any Sheryl recommended, but prob will to save some trips to Oz for follow up check ups and get that Doc to communicate with my Oz cancer Dr.

I also recommend to have your body completely scanted (photos) by a proper cancer clinic, it is very useful for the future and most Dr in Oz will photo any suspect ones to compare to in the future. Good Luck.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Chao Lao Beach

[Mapguy]

Sorry to have heard about your unfortunate experience, but that is not a reflection upon the excellent physicians referred to specifically above.

Given the frightening apparent misdiagnoses and apparently your sensitivity to the sun, why are you living on a tropical beach?!

Stay well!

Edited June 1, 2014 by Mapguy

[chiang mai]

And I second that, I know Dr Siri for example and he has an excellent reputation throughout the country. I'm also aware that the female dermatologist at RAM was schooled and trained in Boston.

[quidnunc]

I had a friend who went to the "excellent doctor" to look at something suspicious on his ear. She gave him a pass. When he went to America to get it looked at again, it turns out it was a melanomoa. He thought that he got it in time but it turns out it has metastasized.

[chiang mai]

Since you wrote that you "had" a friend, I guess he died, I'm sorry, you must be gutted.

But nice try and really too bad, really, Dr Siri is a chap not a chapette!

Thanks for the entertainment and proof that trolls really do exist.

[evenstevens]

yes i have had melanomas cut out of me at c/mai ram hospital,three yrs back,,great doc ,great op ..and made a full recovery

they have just recently built a new clinic on the 5 th floor,where i do a 3 month full check up with a dermogolist,

apart from her excellent service she is a real cutie

be best to drop in( can park your car on the 5th floor) and get appiontment ,or with luck u may get a on the spot check up etc etc would give u my docs name but unfortunately i don t know it,but its a long name..

get in quick as melanomas are real killers in a short space of time

approx 600 baht doc service fee,plus any burn off charges etc etc

c/mai ram is a first class act , i assure you of that

Chatbongkoch Khemacheewakul, is that the docs name?

yes ed,me thinks thats the name, perhaps my good mate chaingmai can confirm her name as she told me that she got her degrees in boston,and c/mai on his post a little earlier to afternoon,he mentioned that..,if not i have a my 3 month c/up with her next friday,and will pass her name on to this thread,

my skin was in a fluffing mess,my cutie burnt off over 100 cancer spots,plus done two skin grafts on both arms ,plus a few biopsies, over a six month period,and she has got me up to scratch, the word melanomas run a shiver through my spine,as i also had it in the guts 15 yrs ago,(grade two) just a tic away from getting the fatal bullett, a c/mai ram c/up every 3 months is my agenda,big time

remember its a great life if u dont weakenand a nice late afternoon to all

[elektrified]

Since you wrote that you "had" a friend, I guess he died, I'm sorry, you must be gutted.

But nice try and really too bad, really, Dr Siri is a chap not a chapette!

Thanks for the entertainment and proof that trolls really do exist.

Right. Plenty of trolls on here. Don't know what the agenda is to knock a local doc, but whatever. Any way, Dr. Siri has lived and practiced in the USA so is very familiar with "white skin" as one poster put it.

[Rotweiler]

I had two skin tumours removed by Dr, Yok (Dr. Chatbongkoch) at the RAM. Caught in time. Subsequently other suspicious spots treated with a surface treatment that stings like **** but seems to have solved the issues.

Highly recommended.

(and yes, she is VERY good looking)

[Tywais]

yes i have had melanomas cut out of me at c/mai ram hospital,three yrs back,,great doc ,great op ..and made a full recovery

they have just recently built a new clinic on the 5 th floor,where i do a 3 month full check up with a dermogolist,

apart from her excellent service she is a real cutie

be best to drop in( can park your car on the 5th floor) and get appiontment ,or with luck u may get a on the spot check up etc etc would give u my docs name but unfortunately i don t know it,but its a long name..

get in quick as melanomas are real killers in a short space of time

approx 600 baht doc service fee,plus any burn off charges etc etc

c/mai ram is a first class act , i assure you of that

Chatbongkoch Khemacheewakul, is that the docs name?

yes ed,me thinks thats the name, perhaps my good mate chaingmai can confirm her name as she told me that she got her degrees in boston,and c/mai on his post a little earlier to afternoon,he mentioned that..,if not i have a my 3 month c/up with her next friday,and will pass her name on to this thread,

The one from Boston University is Dr. Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong and has been highly recommended by members for sometime here. Her CV (pdf) here.. Believe she is in the new clinic on the 5th floor as I saw her to diagnose Shingles.

Generally I've been using Dr. Chatbongkoch and she diagnosed a BCC on my neck visually then did a biopsy for verification. Had a general surgeon at RAM, also very good at his job, do the removal.

[quidnunc]

Since you wrote that you "had" a friend, I guess he died, I'm sorry, you must be gutted.

But nice try and really too bad, really, Dr Siri is a chap not a chapette!

Thanks for the entertainment and proof that trolls really do exist.

I meant to be referring to a woman doctor recommended on this site. If the "excellent doctor" referred to someone else, that's my mistake. But unfortunately, the incident is real. This guy is from Mississippi and used to participate actively in lots of good causes. Don't know if he's gone yet, but his last email was not encouraging. I am sure lots of people on thaivisa will know who I am referring to.

as for you, trigger-happy much?

Edited June 1, 2014 by quidnunc

[scorecard]

I quite recently had a less than satisfactory experience with a skin specialist at ..................... hospital, she looked overall at my skin for about 10 seconds then said 'no problems'. I learned later that I went into her room about 5 minutes after her shift finished and when this happens she reacts by fast 'diagnosis' and she's out of her room and gone before the patient.

I then went to Dr Ekarach Amornrungsun, at Rajavej Hospital, 053-801999

Pleasant and professional, advanced English, he listened well, asked several questions to ensure he understood what I was saying and asked many questions about past history / activities etc., also examined me all over quite thoroughly.

I needed a complete report for my home government and he took great care to make a comprehensive document and get it right. Several times asked me to correct any spelling or grammar errors etc.

I'm very pleased and will go back.

Total cost for visit and the report 400Baht.

Edited June 1, 2014 by scorecard

[onthedarkside]

So, time to remove all the off topic nonsense about the doctor's appearance.

[arunsakda]

Get your lumps and bumps checked ASAP. Melanoma is a killer, ever heard of Bob Marley? One of my tennis buddies got diagnosed early, took a huge flap out of his back, saved his life.

[BarnicaleBob]

I have been seeing Dr. Chatbongkoch Khemacheewakul in the fifth floor clinic at RAM since the first of the year. On my first visit she gave me a complete body check and took photos of everything she found (a lot), she even noticed a small bit of fungus on the bottom of my feet that I had just assumed was dead skin and treated me for that as well. I am very happy and confident in her work.

[CMMCB]

The best skin doctor in town is Ajaran Siri Chiewchanvit. He is considered one of the best doctors in Thailand. You'll have to search the forum for his contact details. Many times when another dermatologist in town recommends surgery for skin cancer, it is Doctor Siri who who is the one who will actually be your surgeon.

The g/f just tried calling him this morning to see if she could get in to see him at his 9-12:00 Sunday clinic but apparently he no longer has Sunday clinics. I think he no longer has Sripat or RAM clinics but has evening clinics at his Moon Muang clinic.

I'll second that recommendation for Dr Siri, who also teaches in the medical school. He's been treating my skin cancer for many years and correctly identified my melanoma. He still has a clinic in Suan Dork's Sripat building on Fridays (changed from Tues, Thurs, I think), where I consulted him a couple of weeks ago, as well as his private clinic on the moat.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Hi folks, just for clarification, I did not indicate I was checked by a Dr in Chiang Mai, I also was not in Chanthaburi. I had the misfortune in Chonburi. I can confirm that any of the medical names listed above I am not familiar with and I have no comment on. There has to be some good ones around.

However it seems that bad ones just keep on killing people in this country.

Note to Barnical Bob, you should get a copy of those pics on a CD, it may come in extremely handy if you are away from that Dr and see something you worry about, these pics are a great reference for someone not familiar with you.

[Saan]

Thanks everyone for the wealth of advice.

I have already had three melanomas - I surfed and sailed for years in Australia and with my Celtic skin am now paying the price.

My latest worry was on my back only a few centimeters from a previous melanoma so I couldn't get a good look at it. For the first time ever I found some use for my wife's very expensive smart phone - it takes amazingly good pics -

and had her photograph my back. It didn't look like a typical melanoma but it was still a cause for concern. Fortunately a doctor friend from Australia, who has plenty of experience with the Australian 'disease', was visiting and has given me the all clear. I think regular check ups are now on the agenda.

[CMMCB]

Thanks everyone for the wealth of advice.

I have already had three melanomas - I surfed and sailed for years in Australia and with my Celtic skin am now paying the price.

My latest worry was on my back only a few centimeters from a previous melanoma so I couldn't get a good look at it. For the first time ever I found some use for my wife's very expensive smart phone - it takes amazingly good pics -

and had her photograph my back. It didn't look like a typical melanoma but it was still a cause for concern. Fortunately a doctor friend from Australia, who has plenty of experience with the Australian 'disease', was visiting and has given me the all clear. I think regular check ups are now on the agenda.

Hi Saan,

It may be worth getting a biopsy on the back worries anyway. I'd had lots of boring basal cell carcinomas and found what I thought was another one on my shoulder which looked very similar and nothing like any melanomas I'd seen photos of. The missus pushed me to go check anyway, Dr Siri ordered the biopsy "just in case", and it came back as positive for melanoma. Straight off for deeper excision by a plastic surgeon and got the all clear about a week later.

Not doubting your Ozzy doctor friend's diagnosis, but never hurts to check with such a serious disease.

Good luck.

[evenstevens]

The one from Boston University is Dr. Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong and has been highly recommended by members for sometime here. Her CV (pdf) here.. Believe she is in the new clinic on the 5th floor as I saw her to diagnose Shingles.

went a couple weeks back, for my 3 month check up to the above doc

she found a small spot about the size of a pin head, right in the middle of my back ,just below the shoulder blades

a couple days later she cut it out and sent it for a biopsy

last thurs i returned for the results, lo and behold malaignant..melanoma

instead of shock , i was overjoyed that my cutie doc, had discovered it in its early stages

back next tuesday to cut it out completely(i hope) then another biopsy,to see if its done that(and keep my fingers crossed)

my cutie doc is right up to tywais above comments,and my post confirms it

plus sincerely hope , that if one has doubts about skin spots etc etc a check up should be a very high priorty, get this nasty bastard in the early stages and your chances are multiplied of a complete recovery

a very nice morning to all

Edited August 3, 2014 by evenstevens

[uptheos]

The one from Boston University is Dr. Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong and has been highly recommended by members for sometime here. Her CV (pdf) here.. Believe she is in the new clinic on the 5th floor as I saw her to diagnose Shingles.

went a couple weeks back, for my 3 month check up to the above doc

she found a small spot about the size of a pin head, right in the middle of my back ,just below the shoulder blades

a couple days later she cut it out and sent it for a biopsy

last thurs i returned for the results, lo and behold malaignant..melanoma

instead of shock , i was overjoyed that my cutie doc, had discovered it in its early stages

back next tuesday to cut it out completely(i hope) then another biopsy,to see if its done that(and keep my fingers crossed)

my cutie doc is right up to tywais above comments,and my post confirms it

plus sincerely hope , that if one has doubts about skin spots etc etc a check up should be a very high priorty, get this nasty bastard in the early stages and your chances are multiplied of a complete recovery

a very nice morning to all

They would have given you the level of invasion if it was malignant.

What was the Breslow's Depth and the Clarks Level?

These are extremely important factors in prognosis.

They would be stated on the biopsy result sheet that you were given or shown......if not given get a copy!

Edited August 3, 2014 by uptheos

[evenstevens]

The one from Boston University is Dr. Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong and has been highly recommended by members for sometime here. Her CV (pdf) here.. Believe she is in the new clinic on the 5th floor as I saw her to diagnose Shingles.

went a couple weeks back, for my 3 month check up to the above doc

she found a small spot about the size of a pin head, right in the middle of my back ,just below the shoulder blades

a couple days later she cut it out and sent it for a biopsy

last thurs i returned for the results, lo and behold malaignant..melanoma

instead of shock , i was overjoyed that my cutie doc, had discovered it in its early stages

back next tuesday to cut it out completely(i hope) then another biopsy,to see if its done that(and keep my fingers crossed)

my cutie doc is right up to tywais above comments,and my post confirms it

plus sincerely hope , that if one has doubts about skin spots etc etc a check up should be a very high priorty, get this nasty bastard in the early stages and your chances are multiplied of a complete recovery

a very nice morning to all

They would have given you the level of invasion if it was malignant.

What was the Breslow's Depth and the Clarks Level?

These are extremely important factors in prognosis.

They would be stated on the biopsy result sheet that you were given or shown......if not given get a copy!

honestly uptheos i could nt give a toss about your above post^^^^ in fact it is very inconsiderate of you to post such tripe

my doctor is a very professional person, employed by chiangmai ram hospital, arguable the best hospital in northern thailand

futhermore , i have great faith in my doctors ability to deal and beat this deadly cancer,with the biopsy taken, and my consulation with her, in which she demonstrated her professionals skills at the highest level, not to mention her supporting nursing staff, who are also real pros...

[northernjohn]

The one from Boston University is Dr. Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong and has been highly recommended by members for sometime here. Her CV (pdf) here.. Believe she is in the new clinic on the 5th floor as I saw her to diagnose Shingles.

went a couple weeks back, for my 3 month check up to the above doc

she found a small spot about the size of a pin head, right in the middle of my back ,just below the shoulder blades

a couple days later she cut it out and sent it for a biopsy

last thurs i returned for the results, lo and behold malaignant..melanoma

instead of shock , i was overjoyed that my cutie doc, had discovered it in its early stages

back next tuesday to cut it out completely(i hope) then another biopsy,to see if its done that(and keep my fingers crossed)

my cutie doc is right up to tywais above comments,and my post confirms it

plus sincerely hope , that if one has doubts about skin spots etc etc a check up should be a very high priorty, get this nasty bastard in the early stages and your chances are multiplied of a complete recovery

a very nice morning to all

They would have given you the level of invasion if it was malignant.

What was the Breslow's Depth and the Clarks Level?

These are extremely important factors in prognosis.

They would be stated on the biopsy result sheet that you were given or shown......if not given get a copy!

honestly uptheos i could nt give a toss about your above post^^^^ in fact it is very inconsiderate of you to post such tripe

my doctor is a very professional person, employed by chiangmai ram hospital, arguable the best hospital in northern thailand

futhermore , i have great faith in my doctors ability to deal and beat this deadly cancer,with the biopsy taken, and my consulation with her, in which she demonstrated her professionals skills at the highest level, not to mention her supporting nursing staff, who are also real pros...

Not to rain on your parade but I have seen arguably the worst bone doctor in Thailand at the Ram and one of the best doctors in the field at the Ram. Don't let your money go to your head. For arthroscopic surgery the best bone doctor used to be one of the Kings now partially retired recommended a doctor at a cheaper hospital.

uptheos can be a pain at times but when he talks about health I listen. Don't go cutting your nose off to spite your face.

[beau thai]

The one from Boston University is Dr. Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong and has been highly recommended by members for sometime here. Her CV (pdf) here.. Believe she is in the new clinic on the 5th floor as I saw her to diagnose Shingles.

went a couple weeks back, for my 3 month check up to the above doc

she found a small spot about the size of a pin head, right in the middle of my back ,just below the shoulder blades

a couple days later she cut it out and sent it for a biopsy

last thurs i returned for the results, lo and behold malaignant..melanoma

instead of shock , i was overjoyed that my cutie doc, had discovered it in its early stages

back next tuesday to cut it out completely(i hope) then another biopsy,to see if its done that(and keep my fingers crossed)

my cutie doc is right up to tywais above comments,and my post confirms it

plus sincerely hope , that if one has doubts about skin spots etc etc a check up should be a very high priorty, get this nasty bastard in the early stages and your chances are multiplied of a complete recovery

a very nice morning to all

They would have given you the level of invasion if it was malignant.

What was the Breslow's Depth and the Clarks Level?

These are extremely important factors in prognosis.

They would be stated on the biopsy result sheet that you were given or shown......if not given get a copy!

I too have had significant malignant melanomas excised in the west by a very very competent professional plastic surgery team. I neither asked for nor was given the 'extremely important' factors you describe.

I am happy that the team made a very deep excision to assure no metastasis, and their work was backed up by quarterly checks for 3 years by a leading consultant dermotologist.

Help me understand please why I should have a copy of the Breslow's depth and Clarks level-whatever they may be. (which no doubt google would reveal...)