How often do you go back to derm?
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

How often do you go back to derm?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › How often do you go back to derm?

  • Post
    • September 6, 2018 at 4:01 pm
    CallMeKate
    Participant

    So when I was diagnosed in May with 1B, my dermatologist said that I'd need to have a skin check every 3 months for the next two years, every 6 months for the following two years, then annually after that.

    At my appointment yesterday, he said that I could do every three months for the next year, six months for the following year, then annually.  Thoughts?

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 6, 2018 at 4:58 pm
      Savymoo23
      Participant

      Sounds correct 🙂

      • September 6, 2018 at 6:05 pm
      BillB
      Participant

      My dermatologist sees me every 6 months. Every three months seems a little often to me if you are doing routine exams too. Just my opinion. At this point we have never discussed long term but I would imagine every 6 months.

      Bill

        • September 6, 2018 at 6:07 pm
        BillB
        Participant

        Sorry, didn’t mean to make it anonymous.

        Bill

      • September 6, 2018 at 6:15 pm
      MarkR
      Participant

      Sounds about right although my derm previously said annual was pointless so I remained at 6monthly for 10 years

      • September 6, 2018 at 7:24 pm
      CallMeKate
      Participant

      Good to know, everyone.  Thanks for your input!

      • September 6, 2018 at 8:47 pm
      mandyjill
      Participant

      I was diagnosed as Stage 3B about a year and a half ago and go to the dermatologist for a skin check every 6 months.  That is what my oncologist recommended.

      • September 6, 2018 at 9:16 pm
      Richard_K
      Participant

      Diagnosed Ib in 1998, IV in 2009, and Ia 2014. I have derm exams every three months and onc follow-up every 12 weeks.

      • September 6, 2018 at 9:36 pm
      bjeans
      Participant

      My husband, 3C, gets a mole check by his dermatologist (director) or PA at his melanoma center every three months at this point. 

      • September 7, 2018 at 1:27 am
      Joycem
      Participant

      Every 3 mo for 1st 2 years, just competed and now every 6 months henceforth.  

      • September 7, 2018 at 1:35 am
      MelanomaMike
      Participant
      Sounds about right, assuming you wanna be very proactive and dont mind the co-pays if any. For me on the other hand, im a little pissed off “Still” not at my Dermatologist but at the folks who Analized my initial biopsy on my left leg back in Like October 2016 inwich it came back “not” Melanoma but something else “non cancerous”(forget name)..well, for the next 3 or so months it grew back with a vengence (had a shaved bio), came back, had “another” shaved biopsy and this time it was Melanoma and i believe that 3 maybe 4 month time frame it migrated to my lungs…i havnt seen them in 2yrs…ill look over myself! Lol…Mike
        • September 7, 2018 at 1:21 pm
        CallMeKate
        Participant

        Hey Mike…

        No, I don't mind the co-pays.  I'd rather do the co-pay than deal with another surgery.  And, my derm is telling me that the University of Iowa is setting up a melanoma clinic, so having a centralized location for all of this care will be good.

        • September 7, 2018 at 1:22 pm
        CallMeKate
        Participant

        And yeah, I'd be pissed as hell.

        • September 8, 2018 at 5:01 pm
        MelanomaMike
        Participant
        Hell i was! And maybe i did have a punch done the second time (cant remember) do know it was a ” shave” the first biopsy… You (and everyone else here) just continue to be proactive, i know from recent experiance (last year & a 1/2) Melanoma can grow fast as hellfire! Blink of an eye and it multiplies…
        • September 7, 2018 at 2:24 pm
        bjeans
        Participant

        Ugh, that sucks, and you deserve to be furious. And why are they doing shave biopsies instead (at least) of punch? Easier for them? Hang in there. 

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.