Melanoma specialist in the Los Angeles Area?
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.

Melanoma specialist in the Los Angeles Area?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma specialist in the Los Angeles Area?

  • Post
    • September 26, 2016 at 6:11 am
    snow white
    Participant

    So Dad is going to City of Hope tomorrow.  But, I don't know if its with a Melanoma Specialist.  Can anyone recommend an excellent doc in the LA area?

    Much Appreciated!!!!!

Viewing 17 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 26, 2016 at 11:47 am
      jamieth29
      Participant
      Omid hamid at the Angeles clinic is one of the best. I also think Tony Ribas is out that way also.
      • September 26, 2016 at 11:47 am
      jamieth29
      Participant
      Omid hamid at the Angeles clinic is one of the best. I also think Tony Ribas is out that way also.
      • September 26, 2016 at 11:47 am
      jamieth29
      Participant
      Omid hamid at the Angeles clinic is one of the best. I also think Tony Ribas is out that way also.
      • September 26, 2016 at 11:56 am
      Andrew1725
      Participant

      Not a "personal" recommendation as he's not my doctor, but Dr. Omid Hamid is a big Melanoma oncologist at the Angeles Clinic is the LA area, would be probably be excellent particularly for advanced cases (stage 3/4) or anything complex orinvolving a trial. City of Hope looks like they have a Melanoma team and hopefully your Dad will be seeing them (Dr. Kim Margolin looks like a name to look for based on just a little googling. Hopefully others have further recommendations, because I think USC and UCLA are area possibilities as well where people on this board have been treated, I just don't have the first hand knowledge 

        • September 26, 2016 at 3:27 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you for the info!!!!

        • September 26, 2016 at 3:27 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you for the info!!!!

        • September 26, 2016 at 3:27 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Thank you for the info!!!!

      • September 26, 2016 at 11:56 am
      Andrew1725
      Participant

      Not a "personal" recommendation as he's not my doctor, but Dr. Omid Hamid is a big Melanoma oncologist at the Angeles Clinic is the LA area, would be probably be excellent particularly for advanced cases (stage 3/4) or anything complex orinvolving a trial. City of Hope looks like they have a Melanoma team and hopefully your Dad will be seeing them (Dr. Kim Margolin looks like a name to look for based on just a little googling. Hopefully others have further recommendations, because I think USC and UCLA are area possibilities as well where people on this board have been treated, I just don't have the first hand knowledge 

      • September 26, 2016 at 11:56 am
      Andrew1725
      Participant

      Not a "personal" recommendation as he's not my doctor, but Dr. Omid Hamid is a big Melanoma oncologist at the Angeles Clinic is the LA area, would be probably be excellent particularly for advanced cases (stage 3/4) or anything complex orinvolving a trial. City of Hope looks like they have a Melanoma team and hopefully your Dad will be seeing them (Dr. Kim Margolin looks like a name to look for based on just a little googling. Hopefully others have further recommendations, because I think USC and UCLA are area possibilities as well where people on this board have been treated, I just don't have the first hand knowledge 

      • September 26, 2016 at 8:56 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      My Mom is being treated at USC (originally Dr. Mike Wong, now Dr. James Hu, because Dr. Wong relocated).  And I really love the whole team there, because my Mom had brain mets and she was not getting the treatment she needed by the 1st radio-oncologist she went to for Gamma Knife Treatment in Beverly Hills. – Having a whole team that works together is VERY important as is finding a very proactive team. So, I'd recommend USC and checking in with Dr. James Hu. He is fantastic and treats melanoma patients daily.

      With that said, Dr. Peter Bosaberg at the Angeles Clinic is also very good. I just would not got to anyone other than Dr. Eric Chang at USC and his team for anything to do with brain mets. – He started MD Anderson's Gamma Knife Program too.

       

      • September 26, 2016 at 8:56 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      My Mom is being treated at USC (originally Dr. Mike Wong, now Dr. James Hu, because Dr. Wong relocated).  And I really love the whole team there, because my Mom had brain mets and she was not getting the treatment she needed by the 1st radio-oncologist she went to for Gamma Knife Treatment in Beverly Hills. – Having a whole team that works together is VERY important as is finding a very proactive team. So, I'd recommend USC and checking in with Dr. James Hu. He is fantastic and treats melanoma patients daily.

      With that said, Dr. Peter Bosaberg at the Angeles Clinic is also very good. I just would not got to anyone other than Dr. Eric Chang at USC and his team for anything to do with brain mets. – He started MD Anderson's Gamma Knife Program too.

       

      • September 26, 2016 at 8:56 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      My Mom is being treated at USC (originally Dr. Mike Wong, now Dr. James Hu, because Dr. Wong relocated).  And I really love the whole team there, because my Mom had brain mets and she was not getting the treatment she needed by the 1st radio-oncologist she went to for Gamma Knife Treatment in Beverly Hills. – Having a whole team that works together is VERY important as is finding a very proactive team. So, I'd recommend USC and checking in with Dr. James Hu. He is fantastic and treats melanoma patients daily.

      With that said, Dr. Peter Bosaberg at the Angeles Clinic is also very good. I just would not got to anyone other than Dr. Eric Chang at USC and his team for anything to do with brain mets. – He started MD Anderson's Gamma Knife Program too.

       

      • September 26, 2016 at 9:00 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      Forgot to mention that Dr. Chang treated 18 brain mets for my Mom. 17 in the 1st surgery, 1 in the next about 16 months later. 

      My Mom, due to Dr. Chang's treatment and her own biology, had not issues at all.  And she is almost NED!

      – In all my Mom had 28 brain mets treated and a craniotomy.

      • September 26, 2016 at 9:00 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      Forgot to mention that Dr. Chang treated 18 brain mets for my Mom. 17 in the 1st surgery, 1 in the next about 16 months later. 

      My Mom, due to Dr. Chang's treatment and her own biology, had not issues at all.  And she is almost NED!

      – In all my Mom had 28 brain mets treated and a craniotomy.

      • September 26, 2016 at 9:00 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      Forgot to mention that Dr. Chang treated 18 brain mets for my Mom. 17 in the 1st surgery, 1 in the next about 16 months later. 

      My Mom, due to Dr. Chang's treatment and her own biology, had not issues at all.  And she is almost NED!

      – In all my Mom had 28 brain mets treated and a craniotomy.

      • September 26, 2016 at 11:19 pm
      Cindyco
      Participant

      We are looking for specialists too (my mother was diagnosed with mucosal melanoma on Septebmer 6).  Through the boards, we've found some that we are looking into:

      1. Dr. Ribas at UCLA

      2. Dr. Greg Daniels at UCSD

      3. Dr. Steven O'day at John Wayne Cancer Instiute

       

      I actually emailed Dr. Ribas and Dr. Daniels and they promptly wrote back to me, which I greatly appreciated.  Please keep us posted, since we are in the same boat.

      • September 26, 2016 at 11:19 pm
      Cindyco
      Participant

      We are looking for specialists too (my mother was diagnosed with mucosal melanoma on Septebmer 6).  Through the boards, we've found some that we are looking into:

      1. Dr. Ribas at UCLA

      2. Dr. Greg Daniels at UCSD

      3. Dr. Steven O'day at John Wayne Cancer Instiute

       

      I actually emailed Dr. Ribas and Dr. Daniels and they promptly wrote back to me, which I greatly appreciated.  Please keep us posted, since we are in the same boat.

        • September 27, 2016 at 10:04 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Hi Cindy,

        My Dad met with Dr. Kim Margolin at City of Hope yesterday.  Mom said she was very straight forward, has been treating ONLY melanoma for over 20 years and has had excellent follow up so far.  Dr. Margolin is trying to get my Dad into a program that she is overseeing at City of Hope, I don't have details but I know it is a combo of several meds.  I have also requested that my Mom speak to her about the Gamma Knife, so we are waiting to hear on that.  She said Dad will either react really well or not, there is no way to know.  This is his 3rd Doctor so far. 1st was Dr. HU at USC then Dr Nabor at Hoag (not a melanoma specialist).

        Thats all I have for now.  I will keep everyone posted.

        🙂

        • September 27, 2016 at 10:04 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Hi Cindy,

        My Dad met with Dr. Kim Margolin at City of Hope yesterday.  Mom said she was very straight forward, has been treating ONLY melanoma for over 20 years and has had excellent follow up so far.  Dr. Margolin is trying to get my Dad into a program that she is overseeing at City of Hope, I don't have details but I know it is a combo of several meds.  I have also requested that my Mom speak to her about the Gamma Knife, so we are waiting to hear on that.  She said Dad will either react really well or not, there is no way to know.  This is his 3rd Doctor so far. 1st was Dr. HU at USC then Dr Nabor at Hoag (not a melanoma specialist).

        Thats all I have for now.  I will keep everyone posted.

        🙂

        • September 27, 2016 at 10:04 pm
        snow white
        Participant

        Hi Cindy,

        My Dad met with Dr. Kim Margolin at City of Hope yesterday.  Mom said she was very straight forward, has been treating ONLY melanoma for over 20 years and has had excellent follow up so far.  Dr. Margolin is trying to get my Dad into a program that she is overseeing at City of Hope, I don't have details but I know it is a combo of several meds.  I have also requested that my Mom speak to her about the Gamma Knife, so we are waiting to hear on that.  She said Dad will either react really well or not, there is no way to know.  This is his 3rd Doctor so far. 1st was Dr. HU at USC then Dr Nabor at Hoag (not a melanoma specialist).

        Thats all I have for now.  I will keep everyone posted.

        🙂

      • September 26, 2016 at 11:19 pm
      Cindyco
      Participant

      We are looking for specialists too (my mother was diagnosed with mucosal melanoma on Septebmer 6).  Through the boards, we've found some that we are looking into:

      1. Dr. Ribas at UCLA

      2. Dr. Greg Daniels at UCSD

      3. Dr. Steven O'day at John Wayne Cancer Instiute

       

      I actually emailed Dr. Ribas and Dr. Daniels and they promptly wrote back to me, which I greatly appreciated.  Please keep us posted, since we are in the same boat.

      • October 4, 2016 at 6:11 pm
      michaelinsocal
      Participant
      Hi Snow White,

      I went to see Dr Michael Wong at USC last November, almost s year ago. He came highly recommended. He’s was very inpresssonable and thorough. A quick search today looks like he make have relocated to Lauguna so not tkk far away.

      I can’t speak for the other doctors who others have recommended except I was weary of Dr O’Day as a little digging turned up he was repremended for some kind of personal drug infraction. There’s an article out there about the hearing with the medical board and his suspension and limitations. So be wary, do you back ground checks and if Lauguna isn’t too far away, Dr Michael Wong was great in my experience.

      Also, I tried City of Hope 2 years ago but at that time they didn’t have a melanoma specialist on campus.

      Best of luck!
      Michael

      • October 4, 2016 at 6:11 pm
      michaelinsocal
      Participant
      Hi Snow White,

      I went to see Dr Michael Wong at USC last November, almost s year ago. He came highly recommended. He’s was very inpresssonable and thorough. A quick search today looks like he make have relocated to Lauguna so not tkk far away.

      I can’t speak for the other doctors who others have recommended except I was weary of Dr O’Day as a little digging turned up he was repremended for some kind of personal drug infraction. There’s an article out there about the hearing with the medical board and his suspension and limitations. So be wary, do you back ground checks and if Lauguna isn’t too far away, Dr Michael Wong was great in my experience.

      Also, I tried City of Hope 2 years ago but at that time they didn’t have a melanoma specialist on campus.

      Best of luck!
      Michael

        • October 14, 2016 at 9:39 pm
        mbaelaporte
        Participant

        Ms Snow White  ..you have landed in some of the best hands in the Melanoma World.  I was fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Margolin from 2010 to 2014 when she unfortunately  decided to leave her position as Co Director  of Melanoma at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to be closer to her children.  She is and has been part of the Vanguard of melanoma care for a long time ( and I think started at City of Hope ).  Please say hello for me and give her a hug from Pechon – Pay  chOWN.  During my days with her  she was always available for consult / communication ;  answering her phone as she's boarding a plane or having her nurse return a call. You've arrived upon one at the top of the charts

        Cheers,  john

        • October 14, 2016 at 9:39 pm
        mbaelaporte
        Participant

        Ms Snow White  ..you have landed in some of the best hands in the Melanoma World.  I was fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Margolin from 2010 to 2014 when she unfortunately  decided to leave her position as Co Director  of Melanoma at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to be closer to her children.  She is and has been part of the Vanguard of melanoma care for a long time ( and I think started at City of Hope ).  Please say hello for me and give her a hug from Pechon – Pay  chOWN.  During my days with her  she was always available for consult / communication ;  answering her phone as she's boarding a plane or having her nurse return a call. You've arrived upon one at the top of the charts

        Cheers,  john

        • October 14, 2016 at 9:39 pm
        mbaelaporte
        Participant

        Ms Snow White  ..you have landed in some of the best hands in the Melanoma World.  I was fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Margolin from 2010 to 2014 when she unfortunately  decided to leave her position as Co Director  of Melanoma at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to be closer to her children.  She is and has been part of the Vanguard of melanoma care for a long time ( and I think started at City of Hope ).  Please say hello for me and give her a hug from Pechon – Pay  chOWN.  During my days with her  she was always available for consult / communication ;  answering her phone as she's boarding a plane or having her nurse return a call. You've arrived upon one at the top of the charts

        Cheers,  john

      • October 4, 2016 at 6:11 pm
      michaelinsocal
      Participant
      Hi Snow White,

      I went to see Dr Michael Wong at USC last November, almost s year ago. He came highly recommended. He’s was very inpresssonable and thorough. A quick search today looks like he make have relocated to Lauguna so not tkk far away.

      I can’t speak for the other doctors who others have recommended except I was weary of Dr O’Day as a little digging turned up he was repremended for some kind of personal drug infraction. There’s an article out there about the hearing with the medical board and his suspension and limitations. So be wary, do you back ground checks and if Lauguna isn’t too far away, Dr Michael Wong was great in my experience.

      Also, I tried City of Hope 2 years ago but at that time they didn’t have a melanoma specialist on campus.

      Best of luck!
      Michael

Viewing 17 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.