How does "could be cancerous" not apply to all clinically benign moles?

Sign up, and you'll be able to vote in polls. Sign up

Report problem with this ad

Oct 1, 2024
2:30:13pm

Bobber Political Junky

How does "could be cancerous" not apply to all clinically benign moles?

Of course cancer is always *possible*. It's the degree of risk as determined by clinical diagnosis that allows us to reasonably leave most moles alone (and not be able to sue the doctor for recommending such).

If "has ANY risk of being cancerous" is the standard, then what's the point of clinical diagnosis? Should the standard of care just be "remove and biopsy all moles"?

Sorry if I'm missing something important here.

Report problem with this ad

Bobber

Bio page: Bobber
Joined: Nov 10, 2011
Last login: Oct 1, 2024
Total posts: 547 (21 FO)

Report problem with this ad

Messages

Author

Time

Why do so many dermatologists insist that if they remove a mole, the patient MUST pay for a biopsy?

Bobber Political Junky

1:49pm

Because they need the kickbacks from the lab to make their Porsche payment.

cheezedawg

1:51pm

Are doctors required by law or medical boards to disclose any "kickback" relationship with the lab?

Bobber

1:54pm

Read up on the Stark Law.

TN_Coug

2:05pm

Tony Stark?

ochobeeguy

2:07pm

Yes, Tony Stark Law.

TN_Coug

2:07pm

That would be against the Stark Law.

TN_Coug

1:55pm

"Because the patient declined to pay for that analysis"

Skeptical Optimist

1:58pm

Ask a lawyer. Doctors wonder that all the time.

TN_Coug

2:05pm

That’s not enough. “Because patient declined test despite my recommendation

cougaman

2:16pm

How does "could be cancerous" not apply to all clinically benign moles?

Bobber

2:30pm

You are complaining about a cost. If he didn’t biopsy it and it ended up being

cougaman

2:40pm

Ummm.. of course you can be sued for misdiagnosing a benign appearing mole

cougfanz

2:51pm

It was a joke

cheezedawg

2:43pm

yes, but the OP didn't seem like he knew that.

TN_Coug

8:18pm

<< Deleted >>

Acorn

1:52pm

Because when the mole is not removed, you can monitor it for changes to

cougaman

1:53pm

Is that a worse patient outcome than leaving the mole in place?

Bobber

2:00pm

You are asking the dermatologist to remove it, expect them to biopsy. I don’t

cougaman

2:13pm

Because someone once did that and missed cancer and got sued

JimmyZ

1:55pm

Yup, it's standard of care and could make a potential insurance/malpractice claim invalid.

CSoul

1:57pm

So doctors can be sued for not following a standard of care that only benefits doctors?

Bobber

2:08pm

Are you always this obtuse?

JimmyZ

2:09pm

I mean, I'd saying finding out the mole was cancerous or not also benefits the

fattycoug

2:35pm

You asked an industry specific question and a few practitioners made a good faith attempt to answer it honestly.

JarJarBeeps

3:23pm

Why is the doctor liable for failing to identify cancer in a clinically benign mole, if the patient declined biopsy?

Bobber

2:19pm

Because jurors don’t think you’re smart enough to make these decisions

cougfanz

2:25pm

Appears benign clinically

WorfoSAUR

1:57pm

clinically benign diagnosis provides value, removal adds value, biopsy adds more value

Bobber

2:03pm

RE: clinically benign diagnosis provides value, removal adds value, biopsy adds more value

TN_Coug

2:06pm

Then remove it yourself.

2:07pm

If that's the medical establishment's response to an obvious failure to provide patient-centered care

Bobber

2:14pm

The whole premise of your OP is patently false. “Clinically benign”? Please.

3:53pm

Are you saying the term "clinically benign" is not a thing?

Bobber

6:49pm

Patient satisfaction leads to 26% increase in mortality. This isn’t the

Groym

3:56pm

Thanks for the helpful response. I understand nothing is ever certain in clinical diagnosis

Bobber

6:55pm

That boat isn't going to pay for itself

Skeptical Optimist

1:57pm

Also, that typically makes it covered under insurance, where if there is no

BYU-Ite

1:58pm

Removal of a clinically benign mole is never covered by insurance, is it?

Bobber

2:07pm

I had a clinically benign mole removed, sent to the lab, and the insurance covered it.

TN_Coug

2:10pm

Did it have other medical indications (irritation, bleeding)?

Bobber

2:22pm

It did not. It appeared clinically benign.

TN_Coug

2:28pm

OK, your experience appears to be very unusual

Bobber

2:31pm

Same story for me. I had one removed from my face. Doc told me to have it

BYU-Ite

2:30pm

Lawyers. Answer is always lawyers.

BGRTHNUMEGO

1:58pm

Especially when they want to use a deli slicer to get it:

Doctor Rosenrosen

2:00pm

Call your insurance company and ask why they refuse to cover things.

2:00pm

With high deductible plans these days, most of the time it's still an out-of-pocket expense

Skeptical Optimist

2:03pm

Root of problem remains insurance companies

2:05pm

That they don't cover it, or that you can't actually call anyone and find out?

ochobeeguy

2:09pm

You answered your own question, you just don't like the answer. Emphasis added

Sparkling Delirium

2:17pm

He doesn't want there to be an answer.

TN_Coug

2:19pm

Anytime I cut a tissue out of the mouth, I biopsy it. I’m not removing anything

2:24pm

Over 15 years, I’ve found 2 squamous cell carcinomas.

2:56pm

I agree with that policy, but I'm asking about biopsy of a clinically benign mole

Bobber

7:01pm

Yeah, I see your point. And I get it. My wife had a mole removed from her

7:11pm

So maybe what I should do is get a dermatologist to evaluate, but go to a cosmetic surgeon to remove?

Bobber

7:28pm

The dermatologist has the same liability.

cougaman

7:39pm

The cosmetic surgeon has the same liability than a dermatologist if they remove a lesion

TN_Coug

8:19pm

I am ONLY talking about a mole that a competent dermatologist has diagnosed as benign

Bobber

9:32pm

Doesn’t matter. All parties are sued. The surgeon and the dermatologist.

cougfanz

10:07pm

If you biopsy a mole and don’t get path done and a patient dies from melanoma

Groym

2:27pm

^ this can end the thread.

cougfanz

2:32pm

thanks, that's a helpful explanation of the current state of things

Bobber

2:33pm

Liability and patient safety. First and foremost

byusage

2:33pm

Report problem with this ad

Posting on CougarBoard

In order to post, you will need to either sign up or log in.

Report problem with this ad