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melanoma oncologist specialist

Forums General Melanoma Community melanoma oncologist specialist

  • Post
    Lizz
    Participant

      HI can anyone recommend a melanoma oncologist specialist. Diagnosed recently, sentinel lymph node biospy and wide local excision on my arm last week.  I am now awaiting my results of the sentinel which will be available in 2-3 weeks.  I live in England.  Thank you. 

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        debwray
        Participant

          Hi Lizz,

          Waiting is hard. Where are you ?

          In England they have regional hospitals for skin cancer that are centres within a trust or more than one trust. Some people prefer to be treated as close to home as possible.

          That said if you want the most up to date research based knowledge and treatment that is likely to be at a research based cancer type institution.

          Lots going on at the Royal Marsden, Christies Manchester and Leeds off the top of my head. 

          If you have private medicine you could ask for a referral toa named oncologist- but within the NHS they tend to work as a team with regular team meetings to discuss unusual findings so even if you are seeing Dr X or a member of the team you still get to tap into that rich seam of knowledge and expertise.

          But in the meantime- get your Vit D tested- per the nice guidlines.

          If your staging stays at  2 or less observation locally is probably sufficient, but if you are advised to have further treatment for a higher stage you may want to request your care is transferred so you can discuss the vpros and cons with experts. Do you know how many nodes they took and the size  BTW ?

          Deb

           

          debwray
          Participant

            Hi Lizz,

            Waiting is hard. Where are you ?

            In England they have regional hospitals for skin cancer that are centres within a trust or more than one trust. Some people prefer to be treated as close to home as possible.

            That said if you want the most up to date research based knowledge and treatment that is likely to be at a research based cancer type institution.

            Lots going on at the Royal Marsden, Christies Manchester and Leeds off the top of my head. 

            If you have private medicine you could ask for a referral toa named oncologist- but within the NHS they tend to work as a team with regular team meetings to discuss unusual findings so even if you are seeing Dr X or a member of the team you still get to tap into that rich seam of knowledge and expertise.

            But in the meantime- get your Vit D tested- per the nice guidlines.

            If your staging stays at  2 or less observation locally is probably sufficient, but if you are advised to have further treatment for a higher stage you may want to request your care is transferred so you can discuss the vpros and cons with experts. Do you know how many nodes they took and the size  BTW ?

            Deb

             

              Helen from uk
              Participant

                Hello Lizz, Sorry to hear your news , my niece Victoria had melanoma , sadly lost the fight and passed away 6 weeks ago , but she had excellent care at the Churchill hospital Oxford from melanoma specialist Dr . Miranda Payne  and Prof Mark Middleton , they both come highly recommended .We live in Northamptonshire , and Oxford is the nearest specialist hospital.Hope this is of some help and i wish you all the very best .Helen

                Helen from uk
                Participant

                  Hello Lizz, Sorry to hear your news , my niece Victoria had melanoma , sadly lost the fight and passed away 6 weeks ago , but she had excellent care at the Churchill hospital Oxford from melanoma specialist Dr . Miranda Payne  and Prof Mark Middleton , they both come highly recommended .We live in Northamptonshire , and Oxford is the nearest specialist hospital.Hope this is of some help and i wish you all the very best .Helen

                  Helen from uk
                  Participant

                    Hello Lizz, Sorry to hear your news , my niece Victoria had melanoma , sadly lost the fight and passed away 6 weeks ago , but she had excellent care at the Churchill hospital Oxford from melanoma specialist Dr . Miranda Payne  and Prof Mark Middleton , they both come highly recommended .We live in Northamptonshire , and Oxford is the nearest specialist hospital.Hope this is of some help and i wish you all the very best .Helen

                    Lizz
                    Participant

                      HI Deb

                       

                      Thank you for replying.

                       

                      Since receiving your post I have now had a sentinel lymph gland bisopsy with removal of two nodes under my arm and a further excision of the melanoma area on my arm.  I have recovered well and received my results yesterday.  Thankfully there is no cancer in my lymph nodes and they have staged me at 2b.  I will now receive three monthly appointments with a dermatologist and some scans.  Does this sound about right to you?  Should I ask for chemo or radiotheraphy.  One minute ive got cancer and the next Im in remission.  Dont get me wrong Im over the moon but scared to just sit still.  How often should I check my skin?  Now that this cancer is not in my lymph glands does that mean it will not have got anywhere else in my body?  If it does return does it return as a lump/spot again which this time I will notice immediately.  Sorry for all the questions, at my appointment yesterday I just couldnt speak. 

                       

                      Liz 

                      Lizz
                      Participant

                        HI Deb

                         

                        Thank you for replying.

                         

                        Since receiving your post I have now had a sentinel lymph gland bisopsy with removal of two nodes under my arm and a further excision of the melanoma area on my arm.  I have recovered well and received my results yesterday.  Thankfully there is no cancer in my lymph nodes and they have staged me at 2b.  I will now receive three monthly appointments with a dermatologist and some scans.  Does this sound about right to you?  Should I ask for chemo or radiotheraphy.  One minute ive got cancer and the next Im in remission.  Dont get me wrong Im over the moon but scared to just sit still.  How often should I check my skin?  Now that this cancer is not in my lymph glands does that mean it will not have got anywhere else in my body?  If it does return does it return as a lump/spot again which this time I will notice immediately.  Sorry for all the questions, at my appointment yesterday I just couldnt speak. 

                         

                        Liz 

                        Lizz
                        Participant

                          HI Deb

                           

                          Thank you for replying.

                           

                          Since receiving your post I have now had a sentinel lymph gland bisopsy with removal of two nodes under my arm and a further excision of the melanoma area on my arm.  I have recovered well and received my results yesterday.  Thankfully there is no cancer in my lymph nodes and they have staged me at 2b.  I will now receive three monthly appointments with a dermatologist and some scans.  Does this sound about right to you?  Should I ask for chemo or radiotheraphy.  One minute ive got cancer and the next Im in remission.  Dont get me wrong Im over the moon but scared to just sit still.  How often should I check my skin?  Now that this cancer is not in my lymph glands does that mean it will not have got anywhere else in my body?  If it does return does it return as a lump/spot again which this time I will notice immediately.  Sorry for all the questions, at my appointment yesterday I just couldnt speak. 

                           

                          Liz 

                        debwray
                        Participant

                          Hi Lizz,

                          Waiting is hard. Where are you ?

                          In England they have regional hospitals for skin cancer that are centres within a trust or more than one trust. Some people prefer to be treated as close to home as possible.

                          That said if you want the most up to date research based knowledge and treatment that is likely to be at a research based cancer type institution.

                          Lots going on at the Royal Marsden, Christies Manchester and Leeds off the top of my head. 

                          If you have private medicine you could ask for a referral toa named oncologist- but within the NHS they tend to work as a team with regular team meetings to discuss unusual findings so even if you are seeing Dr X or a member of the team you still get to tap into that rich seam of knowledge and expertise.

                          But in the meantime- get your Vit D tested- per the nice guidlines.

                          If your staging stays at  2 or less observation locally is probably sufficient, but if you are advised to have further treatment for a higher stage you may want to request your care is transferred so you can discuss the vpros and cons with experts. Do you know how many nodes they took and the size  BTW ?

                          Deb

                           

                          ian0502
                          Participant

                            Hi Lizz,

                            I had a similar opp 2 years ago privately at London Bridge Hospital by an excellent melanoma oncologist Dr Mark Harries an open,direct and knowledgeable specialist.He has done research on immutheraphy and a leader in his field.Also at St Geaorges there is Professor Angus Dalglish who is open to alternative approaches such as LDN (low dose naltrexone) and is also well regarded.I am sure it's all frightening and scary as I remember that feeling 2 years ago, but I got very fit, read more than 200 hundred books and research papers and feel ready to take this on. I was diagnosed as stage 3b with unknown primary with a paraneoplstic fibrosis.I am based in UK happy to chat should you wish to know of my experience to date.Number one keep the faith and take control.

                            Best regards

                            Ian

                            ian0502
                            Participant

                              Hi Lizz,

                              I had a similar opp 2 years ago privately at London Bridge Hospital by an excellent melanoma oncologist Dr Mark Harries an open,direct and knowledgeable specialist.He has done research on immutheraphy and a leader in his field.Also at St Geaorges there is Professor Angus Dalglish who is open to alternative approaches such as LDN (low dose naltrexone) and is also well regarded.I am sure it's all frightening and scary as I remember that feeling 2 years ago, but I got very fit, read more than 200 hundred books and research papers and feel ready to take this on. I was diagnosed as stage 3b with unknown primary with a paraneoplstic fibrosis.I am based in UK happy to chat should you wish to know of my experience to date.Number one keep the faith and take control.

                              Best regards

                              Ian

                              ian0502
                              Participant

                                Hi Lizz,

                                I had a similar opp 2 years ago privately at London Bridge Hospital by an excellent melanoma oncologist Dr Mark Harries an open,direct and knowledgeable specialist.He has done research on immutheraphy and a leader in his field.Also at St Geaorges there is Professor Angus Dalglish who is open to alternative approaches such as LDN (low dose naltrexone) and is also well regarded.I am sure it's all frightening and scary as I remember that feeling 2 years ago, but I got very fit, read more than 200 hundred books and research papers and feel ready to take this on. I was diagnosed as stage 3b with unknown primary with a paraneoplstic fibrosis.I am based in UK happy to chat should you wish to know of my experience to date.Number one keep the faith and take control.

                                Best regards

                                Ian

                                  Lizz
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you Ian. 

                                    Lizz
                                    Participant

                                      Thank you Ian. 

                                      Lizz
                                      Participant

                                        Thank you Ian. 

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