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Anyone had these non-invasive diagnostic techniques used? Laser, dermoscopy
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Anyone had these non-invasive diagnostic techniques used? Laser, dermoscopy

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Anyone had these non-invasive diagnostic techniques used? Laser, dermoscopy

  • Post
    • October 25, 2014 at 3:29 pm
    lou2
    Participant

      Anyone familiar with the use of dermoscopy or confocal scanning laser microscopy?  Both are said to be non-invasive.

      Have had one lentigo maligna removed on back, big ditch there now.  Another one nearby just like it, said by different derm at teaching medical hospital said to be slow growing, just watch it.

      Now I have a spot on forehead, thin skin only over bone.  It itches a little now and then.  Getting very scared.  Don't want another big incision, and don't know how they could do it at this location anyway.

      So, looking for experience with these non-invasive methods.  And whether anyone knows of a place in the SE U.S. that does these first, before biopsy.

      Thanks.

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 25, 2014 at 11:14 pm
        Carlos P
        Participant

          I would also be interested as I have a tumour on my neck which is not best spot to have one,

          Carlos

          • October 25, 2014 at 11:14 pm
          Carlos P
          Participant

            I would also be interested as I have a tumour on my neck which is not best spot to have one,

            Carlos

            • October 25, 2014 at 11:14 pm
            Carlos P
            Participant

              I would also be interested as I have a tumour on my neck which is not best spot to have one,

              Carlos

              • October 26, 2014 at 12:29 pm
              kalisama
              Participant

                Please don't mess around! I do not see how a lesion could be diagnosed without a biopsy. If you are dealing with a reputable physician, any suspicious lesion should be biopsied, especially with your history. Generally a biopsy, does not hurt, screw the scar, we live we get scarred. Compared to the trouble of misdiagnosing melanoma, you could be asking for trouble.

                Please please get these lesions properly biopsied and diagnosed.

                  • October 26, 2014 at 2:05 pm
                  lou2
                  Participant

                    Thank you for your reply.  I would still like to hear from anyone who has actually had a doctor use these devices.

                    • October 26, 2014 at 2:05 pm
                    lou2
                    Participant

                      Thank you for your reply.  I would still like to hear from anyone who has actually had a doctor use these devices.

                      • October 26, 2014 at 2:05 pm
                      lou2
                      Participant

                        Thank you for your reply.  I would still like to hear from anyone who has actually had a doctor use these devices.

                      • October 26, 2014 at 12:29 pm
                      kalisama
                      Participant

                        Please don't mess around! I do not see how a lesion could be diagnosed without a biopsy. If you are dealing with a reputable physician, any suspicious lesion should be biopsied, especially with your history. Generally a biopsy, does not hurt, screw the scar, we live we get scarred. Compared to the trouble of misdiagnosing melanoma, you could be asking for trouble.

                        Please please get these lesions properly biopsied and diagnosed.

                        • October 26, 2014 at 12:29 pm
                        kalisama
                        Participant

                          Please don't mess around! I do not see how a lesion could be diagnosed without a biopsy. If you are dealing with a reputable physician, any suspicious lesion should be biopsied, especially with your history. Generally a biopsy, does not hurt, screw the scar, we live we get scarred. Compared to the trouble of misdiagnosing melanoma, you could be asking for trouble.

                          Please please get these lesions properly biopsied and diagnosed.

                          • October 26, 2014 at 2:14 pm
                          Janner
                          Participant

                            My doc was part of a study using Aldera (Immiquimod, topical chemo) for LM FIRST, then using MOHs surgery afterwards. LM has a high local recurrence rate and is most often found on the face.  These results are from old notes, I'm sure you can find more up to date if you google, but using Aldera first reduced the size of the lesion by 2/3  and 2/3 of the patience had no recurrence afterwards in a lesion type with high local recurrence rates.  

                            So at least for the lesion on your forehead, there are other options.  Not non-invasive but definitely less invasive.

                              • October 26, 2014 at 6:27 pm
                              lou2
                              Participant

                                Sounds interesting.  First time I have heard of this.

                                Would be done after biopsy, though.  Still looking for alternatives to biopsy.

                                • October 26, 2014 at 6:27 pm
                                lou2
                                Participant

                                  Sounds interesting.  First time I have heard of this.

                                  Would be done after biopsy, though.  Still looking for alternatives to biopsy.

                                  • October 26, 2014 at 6:27 pm
                                  lou2
                                  Participant

                                    Sounds interesting.  First time I have heard of this.

                                    Would be done after biopsy, though.  Still looking for alternatives to biopsy.

                                    • November 11, 2014 at 9:44 pm
                                    lou2
                                    Participant

                                      Well, good news.  Didn't need any special diagnostic tools.  Derm looked at it and said non-melanoma skin thing.  What a relief.

                                      • November 11, 2014 at 9:44 pm
                                      lou2
                                      Participant

                                        Well, good news.  Didn't need any special diagnostic tools.  Derm looked at it and said non-melanoma skin thing.  What a relief.

                                        • November 11, 2014 at 9:44 pm
                                        lou2
                                        Participant

                                          Well, good news.  Didn't need any special diagnostic tools.  Derm looked at it and said non-melanoma skin thing.  What a relief.

                                        • October 26, 2014 at 2:14 pm
                                        Janner
                                        Participant

                                          My doc was part of a study using Aldera (Immiquimod, topical chemo) for LM FIRST, then using MOHs surgery afterwards. LM has a high local recurrence rate and is most often found on the face.  These results are from old notes, I'm sure you can find more up to date if you google, but using Aldera first reduced the size of the lesion by 2/3  and 2/3 of the patience had no recurrence afterwards in a lesion type with high local recurrence rates.  

                                          So at least for the lesion on your forehead, there are other options.  Not non-invasive but definitely less invasive.

                                          • October 26, 2014 at 2:14 pm
                                          Janner
                                          Participant

                                            My doc was part of a study using Aldera (Immiquimod, topical chemo) for LM FIRST, then using MOHs surgery afterwards. LM has a high local recurrence rate and is most often found on the face.  These results are from old notes, I'm sure you can find more up to date if you google, but using Aldera first reduced the size of the lesion by 2/3  and 2/3 of the patience had no recurrence afterwards in a lesion type with high local recurrence rates.  

                                            So at least for the lesion on your forehead, there are other options.  Not non-invasive but definitely less invasive.

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