Get a second opinion. I had had a small growth on my left cheek which mildly bled after I had shaved and was sensitive to touch. I went to a dermatologist. He did a biopsy which showed it was squamous cell carcinoma. He stated I needed Mohs surgery. I looked at the reviews and it looked like Dr. Hendi was highly recommended. I had him do the Mohs surgery. It looked like he did a good job-though there is a small visible scar where he did the Mohs surgery. However, I was told by a dermatologist that there is always at best a small permanent scar after Mohs surgery.
In a follow up visit with Doctor Hendi, he asked me if I wanted him to do the follow up skin checks. I said, "sure" it looks like you did a good job. He then stated, has anybody ever told you that you have a growth under the tip of your right nose? I said no, the right side of my nose and face has always been perfectly clear. He stated I need to do a biopsy, and that it would only take a few seconds. I let him do the biopsy.
A couple of hours later, after I got home, one of his assistants called me and stated that Doctor Hendi has read the results of the biopsy and needs for you to come in and have another Mohs surgery, because the tip of your nose shows squamous cell carcinoma. I stated: how was he able to get the results so quickly? It has always been at least several days, before I see the biopsy results. She told me that he has his own in house lab in the office, and that he reads his own biopsies. She said: he only sends them to an outside lab if he has questions. I tell her no, I tell her,I will not have Mohs surgery at this time. I ask my wife and friends if they have ever seen any bumps or growths on my right nose or face. All say no.
I make an appointment with my internist, and he too says he does not see anything there. I decide to get a second opinion from Johns Hopkins dermatology clinic in Baltimore. I show them Doctor Hendi's findings of squamous cell carcinoma and his recommendation for Mohs surgery. The two Hopkins dermatologists both concur that they see no squamous cell carcinoma, and that I do not need Mohs surgery. I believe Hopkins. They are one of the top medical institutions in the nation. However, I decide to get a third opinion from Chevy Chase Medstar dermatology clinic. That clinic is a block away from Doctor Hendi's office.
I call Doctor Hendi's office and tell them to send that lesions slide allegedly showing that the tip of my right nose has squamous cell carcinoma to that Medstar dermatology clinic. I then call that Medstar dermatology clinic to let them know. The receptionist states that a lesion finding is not conclusive for squamous cell carcinoma without a physical examination of the site. I state fine, I will be glad to have their dermatologist do a personal exam of the site which is what I had Hopkins do.
The Medstar dermatologist does so and states he does not see anything, but that he has not yet examined the lesion slide. However, he states that he is going to meet with several other dermatologists to jointly examine the slide and that he will call me. I also tell him what I told Hopkins-that I want to see the findings in writing. He agrees. I tell him I am only interested in two things: Is it squamous cell carcinoma as Hendi says and/or do I need Mohs surgery?
He calls me back and states that he agrees with the findings of Hopkins. I then ask him two questions. If I had let doctor Hendi do the Mohs surgery (based on his and the Hopkins findings) would it have been unnecessary surgery? He said yes. I also state if I had had the Mohs surgery would there have been a small visible scar at best and at worst "who knows?" He stated yes. In his written findings the Medstar dermatologist states "it is likely that there is not currently an early {SCCIS} squamous cell carcinoma In SITU."
I have always heard that there are only two certainties in this world : taxes and death. For me there is a third certainty: I will never go back to Doctor Hendi. read more
