Melanoma - who to see?

[Saan]

I've just been told I have a melanoma, which tends to open ones eyes.

I know this question has been asked before but I'd like an update from anyone who has seen a dermatologist recently.

For various reasons I'd prefer not to go to Ram.

Any advice would be very gratefully be received.

[lopburi3]

The person giving you this news did not recommend anyone? Are you adverse to travel outside of Chiang Mai? Suspect best forum for accurate answers would be health.

As you likely know skin cancer is not common among Thai so this is a field with few having much real experience.

[MESmith]

edit, Recent info wanted

Your earlier thread http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730769-melanomas-who-to-see-in-chiang-mai/?hl=melanoma

Rajavej have a dermatologist.

Edited March 10, 2016 by MESmith

[jobin]

High quality dermatology clinic at Suan Dok Hospital. Actually located across the street in a new building. I've seen the doc there 2x, always happy, despite my lily white skin.

[Mapguy]

High quality dermatology clinic at Suan Dok Hospital. Actually located across the street in a new building. I've seen the doc there 2x, always happy, despite my lily white skin.

Mixed experience with that clinic re the doc. Got a real beginner there one time. Poor diagnosis. DEFINITELY would not recommend one doc at Rajevej.

ANYWAY, get yourself to another dermatologist immediately. Don't screw around with melanoma.

By the way, Mohs surgery is not apparently yet to be offerred in Chiang Mai. Look up what that is.

[elektrified]

Hmmm...you don't want RAM even though the recommendations/reviews have all been positive...TBH I've never heard anyone even mention a dermatologist at Rajavej (which is excellent for orthopedics), but perhaps not for all specialties. The wife saw a doc in the E.R. about 5 months back that gave some very weird advice and misdiagnosed her condition.

You could go see Ajarn Siri at his clinic although it is difficult to get him to do surgery now. But it is possible. The wife figured out how to see him at Suan Dok, but she and her family have been patients of his for 20 years. It took a little persistence and a number of telephone calls... In the end she was well received...

Edited March 10, 2016 by elektrified

[Trujillo]

Any hospital can treat this. It's a very common cancer. I had a spot on my face removed at Lanna Hospital on the spot, no pun intended.

You don't need a specialist.

[sappersrest]

Lanna hospital have a very good doctor will try and dig his name out, first class service for me suspect removed tested etc all for under 5000.

[uptheos]

Dr Vachiriporn, Chiang Mai Ram.

I always used Ajarn Siri as mentioned in Elekrified's post, he's the best but I can't stand the hassle of getting to see him any more.

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

[amexpat]

....

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

But she may find it unpleasant to look at you. Any spot that is covered by your gym shorts goes unexamined.

[Dante99]

....

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

But she may find it unpleasant to look at you. Any spot that is covered by your gym shorts goes unexamined.

She has thoroughly examined under my shorts and with shorts off many times and done so pleasantly and professionally. Perhaps the problem is specific to you.

[Saan]

Dr Vachiriporn, Chiang Mai Ram.

I always used Ajarn Siri as mentioned in Elekrified's post, he's the best but I can't stand the hassle of getting to see him any more.

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

Thanks for your suggestion. I have always been wary of RAM because of the tales of horror about their charges. Would you mind telling me what it cost you to have your melanoma removed.

[sappersrest]

Lanna hospital have a very good doctor will try and dig his name out, first class service for me suspect removed tested etc all for under 5000.

Dr Aphnint Tantiwut

[Sparkles]

The person giving you this news did not recommend anyone? Are you adverse to travel outside of Chiang Mai? Suspect best forum for accurate answers would be health.

As you likely know skin cancer is not common among Thai so this is a field with few having much real experience.

I find this a bit strange .You say you have a melanoma but not who provided that diagnosis or whether a biopsy was done to confirm it.

If its 100% a melanoma any surgeon can remove it doesnt have to be a dermatologist.

Having survived 2 melanomas myself its not something you mess around have had BCC's frozen , cut out ,scraped etc..totalling well over 1,000 over 38 years.

However being fair skinned with blue eyes and a lifetime surfing,playing sport not using protection ,through ignorance of the dangers,its not unusual.

[Saan]

The person giving you this news did not recommend anyone? Are you adverse to travel outside of Chiang Mai? Suspect best forum for accurate answers would be health.

As you likely know skin cancer is not common among Thai so this is a field with few having much real experience.

I find this a bit strange .You say you have a melanoma but not who provided that diagnosis or whether a biopsy was done to confirm it.

If its 100% a melanoma any surgeon can remove it doesnt have to be a dermatologist.

Having survived 2 melanomas myself its not something you mess around have had BCC's frozen , cut out ,scraped etc..totalling well over 1,000 over 38 years.

However being fair skinned with blue eyes and a lifetime surfing,playing sport not using protection ,through ignorance of the dangers,its not unusual.

I had red hair and have blue eyes. I surfed and sailed a lot in my younger life. As a result I have had three melanomas removed and the usual assortment of non lethal skin cancers. What I had looked like a melanoma and I saw a GP who confirmed it. I was given the name of a dermatologist but had not seen the name anywhere. So I asked here.

[Tywais]

The person giving you this news did not recommend anyone? Are you adverse to travel outside of Chiang Mai? Suspect best forum for accurate answers would be health.

As you likely know skin cancer is not common among Thai so this is a field with few having much real experience.

I find this a bit strange .You say you have a melanoma but not who provided that diagnosis or whether a biopsy was done to confirm it.

If its 100% a melanoma any surgeon can remove it doesnt have to be a dermatologist.

Having survived 2 melanomas myself its not something you mess around have had BCC's frozen , cut out ,scraped etc..totalling well over 1,000 over 38 years.

However being fair skinned with blue eyes and a lifetime surfing,playing sport not using protection ,through ignorance of the dangers,its not unusual.

I had red hair and have blue eyes. I surfed and sailed a lot in my younger life. As a result I have had three melanomas removed and the usual assortment of non lethal skin cancers. What I had looked like a melanoma and I saw a GP who confirmed it. I was given the name of a dermatologist but had not seen the name anywhere. So I asked here.

When you say he confirmed it, does that mean he performed a biopsy and lab tested it?

[Saan]

The person giving you this news did not recommend anyone? Are you adverse to travel outside of Chiang Mai? Suspect best forum for accurate answers would be health.

As you likely know skin cancer is not common among Thai so this is a field with few having much real experience.

I find this a bit strange .You say you have a melanoma but not who provided that diagnosis or whether a biopsy was done to confirm it.

If its 100% a melanoma any surgeon can remove it doesnt have to be a dermatologist.

Having survived 2 melanomas myself its not something you mess around have had BCC's frozen , cut out ,scraped etc..totalling well over 1,000 over 38 years.

However being fair skinned with blue eyes and a lifetime surfing,playing sport not using protection ,through ignorance of the dangers,its not unusual.

I had red hair and have blue eyes. I surfed and sailed a lot in my younger life. As a result I have had three melanomas removed and the usual assortment of non lethal skin cancers. What I had looked like a melanoma and I saw a GP who confirmed it. I was given the name of a dermatologist but had not seen the name anywhere. So I asked here.

When you say he confirmed it, does that mean he performed a biopsy and lab tested it?

No. That is what I want done now by a dermatologist.

It certainly looks like one with the distinctive scalloped edge but I will only be sure after a biopsy.

[CMMCB]

I also thoroughly recommend Dr Siri. I'd had many BCCs which he'd excised or frozen or lasered over the years but with one v similar one he ordered a biopsy just in case and it turned out to be Melanoma. Caught early, excised by his plastic surgeon colleague at Suan Dork, and no more trouble. Yes, it is a little complex to queue/see Dr Siri at Sripat (in Suan Dork) but I think worth the effort.

[Saan]

I also thoroughly recommend Dr Siri. I'd had many BCCs which he'd excised or frozen or lasered over the years but with one v similar one he ordered a biopsy just in case and it turned out to be Melanoma. Caught early, excised by his plastic surgeon colleague at Suan Dork, and no more trouble. Yes, it is a little complex to queue/see Dr Siri at Sripat (in Suan Dork) but I think worth the effort.

Thank you for your post. I would have been happy to see Dr Siri but so much has been written about the difficulty of seeing him.

I rang around but the earliest appointment I can get is at RAM - Monday.

In my case time is the essence.

[elektrified]

I also thoroughly recommend Dr Siri. I'd had many BCCs which he'd excised or frozen or lasered over the years but with one v similar one he ordered a biopsy just in case and it turned out to be Melanoma. Caught early, excised by his plastic surgeon colleague at Suan Dork, and no more trouble. Yes, it is a little complex to queue/see Dr Siri at Sripat (in Suan Dork) but I think worth the effort.

He no longer sees patients at Sriphat. Seeing him at Suan Dok is possible, but very, very difficult. He has limited his practice for the time being.

[uptheos]

....

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

But she may find it unpleasant to look at you. Any spot that is covered by your gym shorts goes unexamined.

She'll find something like you........a prick!

[deeks]

I went to see Dr Vachiriporn on 8 April because i was worried about a crusty growth on my back at the left shoulder blade area, ive been in Thailand for 3 1/2 years and havnt had a skin cancer consultation since leaving Australia in 2012, i had regular checkups in Aus and a couple of surgical removals, one on my chest and one on my nose.

The one on my back felt different to anything i had before and i was concerned that it may be a melonoma. Anyway i made the appointment and went to Chiang mai Ram for the first time, got to see her on time and had the check up, she liquid nitro'd around 13 spots on my hands, arms face shoulders and 2 on my back including the one i was worried about. Explained all of them to me and then focused on one on my forehead and one in my left eye upper corner,

I explained that i had been to Yahee hospital in BKK on the off chance last year and that the dermotologist there prescribed a cream to apply that cost 1000 baht per tiny sachel and that the cream did infact cause the two areas to ooze then scab then clear and then return to the same as before.

She explained that this was wrong and that she had to take a scrape biopse on the eye and the one on my forehead was a basil cell carcinoma that needs to be surgically removed.

About 10 days later i got an email from her office that the biopsy resaults showed that it was a basil cell carcinoma and they requested me to make the appointment with the plastic surgion.

All in all I can recommend her as professional and the total cost for my first visit was 4004 baht, inclusive of everything. i have not yet made the appointment for the surgery but when i get it done i will let you all know how it goes.

Deeks

[ThaiPauly]

Dr Vachiriporn, Chiang Mai Ram.

I always used Ajarn Siri as mentioned in Elekrified's post, he's the best but I can't stand the hassle of getting to see him any more.

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

I See her once a year, in my experience she is excellent

[lopburi3]

I explained that i had been to Yahee hospital in BKK on the off chance last year and that the dermotologist there prescribed a cream to apply that cost 1000 baht per tiny sachel and that the cream did infact cause the two areas to ooze then scab then clear and then return to the same as before.

She explained that this was wrong and that she had to take a scrape biopse on the eye and the one on my forehead was a basil cell carcinoma that needs to be surgically removed.

I suspect the drug was Aldara cream and is widely used for superficial BCC treatment. Aldara requires many weeks of treatment however and as you said is not cheap (although for small area same sachel can be used for a few days).

Edited May 15, 2016 by lopburi3

[1FinickyOne]

I have used Dr Vachiraporn for the last several years - she is very thorough - she has removed a small melanoma, taken care of various issues - she knows her stuff. Sorry, I don't remember the costs, but good care is worth it - and i remember thinking it quite reasonable, at least by Western standards...

[Rama]

The dermatologists can burn off or freeze off 'pre-cancerous' melanomas. If a carcinoma is on a part of the body (not your face), they are more open to doing the removal themselves, but for carcinomas on your face, you need a plastic surgeon who has done carcinomas on faces. I have been recently to 3 different plastic surgeons at 3 different hospitals here to discuss the removal of a small mole diagnosed as basal cell c. - got 3 different prices and 3 different methods. Found out they do Mohs surgery in Bkk. I have found out they do it at the hospital at Mahidol University there. You may want to check them out. Its a teaching hospital so the prices are reasonable also, but appts are 2-3 weeks out.

[amexpat]

....

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

But she may find it unpleasant to look at you. Any spot that is covered by your gym shorts goes unexamined.

She has thoroughly examined under my shorts and with shorts off many times and done so pleasantly and professionally. Perhaps the problem is specific to you.

What do you suppose is specific to me, or anyone else, that justifies an incomplete, negligent, medical exam?

Maybe if you make an appt and tell her how you defended her, your puppy love dreams will come true.

[Dante99]

....

However, I have found Dr Vachiriporn to be excellent, she keep a picture of you on her computer (graphic) and measures each spot when you see her an compares. She has done a wide incision on me for a melanoma and has great cutting and stitching skills, biopsies, freezing etc all very well done, and she's not unpleasant to look at, also

But she may find it unpleasant to look at you. Any spot that is covered by your gym shorts goes unexamined.

She has thoroughly examined under my shorts and with shorts off many times and done so pleasantly and professionally. Perhaps the problem is specific to you.

What do you suppose is specific to me, or anyone else, that justifies an incomplete, negligent, medical exam?

Maybe if you make an appt and tell her how you defended her, your puppy love dreams will come true.

You seem to be the only one who is not satisfied with her, did you ask her to inspect under your shorts because leaving them on clearly indicates you did not want her to?

As for your second comment, it tells about you, not me. What a child.

[tharae]

I explained that i had been to Yahee hospital in BKK on the off chance last year and that the dermotologist there prescribed a cream to apply that cost 1000 baht per tiny sachel and that the cream did infact cause the two areas to ooze then scab then clear and then return to the same as before.

She explained that this was wrong and that she had to take a scrape biopse on the eye and the one on my forehead was a basil cell carcinoma that needs to be surgically removed.

I suspect the drug was Aldara cream and is widely used for superficial BCC treatment. Aldara requires many weeks of treatment however and as you said is not cheap (although for small area same sachel can be used for a few days).

Efudix may have been more effective. It's a bit invasive but have found it does the job. Not sure what the cost of a 20g tube would be in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

Do not believe it is available in Thailand.