Hi there and thanks for the post

I am sorry to hear about your diagnoses and can appreciate what a confusing and unsettling time this must be for you.

Unfortunately it can be a challenge being under different hospital departments with the communication not always as seemless as you would hope it to be.

You are right in saying the dermatology department is dealing with the Melanoma and the ENT department with the thyroid cancer however they will contact one another as and when necessary.

Oncologists are specialist doctors who treat cancers. There are 3 types including surgical oncologists who perform surgery to remove tumours, medical oncologists who treat cancers with chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted/immunotherapy type treatments, and radiation oncologists who use radiotherapy to treat cancer.

You will see the specialist doctors you need to for your given cancers and treatment plan. Patients are usually discussed within a MDT (multi disciplinary team) to talk through the treatment options for each patient.

As both your thyroid cancer and melanoma have been assessed as contained and at an earlier stage there isn't a reason for a body scan. I am sure if the doctors had any suspicions over this they would be arranging a scan for you.

Most cancers are sporadic meaning they occur over someone's lifetime but I'm afraid sometimes people can be diagnosed with more than 1 type of cancer but it doesn't mean that anything else is going on.

Do talk through any concerns you have about your diagnosis with your teams so they can reassure you and put your mind at ease further.

I hope you know more soon and that everything works out okay for you.

Do get back in touch if needed or give us a call on 0808 800 4040 if you prefer, we are here weekdays 9-5.

Best wishes,

Naomi

Hi,

Naomi has given you great information & advice & I would like to add a little from my experience of being a melanoma patient.

At Stage 1a a melanoma patient will not be referred for scans or to an oncologist because, as Naomi says, there is very little chance of metastases with 1a (approximately 1-2% chance). Scans are only given to Stage 2b & higher & that's mainly to see if the adjuvant drug treatment they are given is working. Any stage below 2b is not given adjuvant drug treatment which is dealt by the oncologist, therefore Stage 0 to Stage 2a patients don't need to be referred to the oncologist. You will be dealt with by Dermatology and Plastics and you will be monitored for a period of time by one of those.

It is very frustrating when different departments don't talk to each other. Sadly, you have to learn to advocate for yourself - don't be afraid to chase up appointments & results & to give them any information that you think they may not be aware of. As both your cancer diagnoses have been very recent, it may be more a fault of your hospital records not being fully updated yet but it doesn't harm to speak to both departments to make them aware of what has happened. 

You should receive an appointment through at some point for a check up by Dermatology or Plastics. Perhaps consider ringing the skin nurse again & ask if you can have an appointment asap so that you can discuss your worries with the consultant.

I hope this has helped - good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)