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How To Increase Sensitivity Of Regular Dermatological Checkup Of Moles?

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Posted on Fri, 2 May 2014
Question: Hi, I have had melanoma on my nose 2X. The first time Mohs (spelling?) was performed by a very prominent dermatologist in Grand Rapids, MI. Surgery was not performed in a hospital. The nurse jammed my nose with a needle until I thought I was going to pass out from the pain and I was sent home 2hrs away without any pain medication. It was a horrific experience. Last year I got it again and it was stage 2 right by the last surgery scar. I was sent to the U of M this time and it was a great experience for what it was (squaring was performed this time). My concern is that I get a visual check-up every 6 months (not at U of M) but, the dermatologist hardly looks me over. This has happened on several occasions with 2 different doctors - it's just in and out very quickly. I am not comfortable with their exam at all. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thanks.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Do you mean Melanoma Malignum? Can you please attach histopathological report? What was Breslow depth? Have you hade lymph nodes checked with gamma camera? To increase the sensitivity of regular dermatological checkup of moles, dermatoscope should be used. It is a kind of magnifying tool which gives better accuracy in suspicious moles diagnostics. So your dermatologist should check every mole with dermatoscope with every visit. If he has no time for you, you should find another dermatologist. Please note that depending of the Breslow depth, you may need chest CT performed every few months. Regular lymph nodes checkup is also necessary. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

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Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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How To Increase Sensitivity Of Regular Dermatological Checkup Of Moles?

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Do you mean Melanoma Malignum? Can you please attach histopathological report? What was Breslow depth? Have you hade lymph nodes checked with gamma camera? To increase the sensitivity of regular dermatological checkup of moles, dermatoscope should be used. It is a kind of magnifying tool which gives better accuracy in suspicious moles diagnostics. So your dermatologist should check every mole with dermatoscope with every visit. If he has no time for you, you should find another dermatologist. Please note that depending of the Breslow depth, you may need chest CT performed every few months. Regular lymph nodes checkup is also necessary. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.