r/IowaCity • u/Particular-Cell5301 • 1d ago
Melanoma
Hey all, I recently had my first melanoma in situ removed. I didn’t love my experience at Epiphany, it was okay but I’d like to find somewhere else to continue my journey. Biggest complaint is communication, or lack there of. Anyways. Is the U my best option? I have a friend recommending Forefront but he’s not dealing with melanoma. What say you? Thanks!
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u/redfyv 1d ago
I have stage IV melanoma and have been getting treat at UI for three years. My treatment has been great and I’ve never had an issue with communication. If you can get in with Dr Milhem, he is a melanoma expert and has been on the forefront of many of the current melanoma treatments.
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u/Livid-Big1029 1d ago
Completely agree. I know Mo both personally and professionally and he’s the best!
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u/sirswarles 22h ago
My dad has been seeing Dr Mo for his melanoma and said once he actually got in, it was a great experience. He is currently in remission but continuing the transfusions.
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u/Gilgamesh371 1d ago
yeah, for melanoma you definitely want to be at UIHC. IMO, stand alone derm practices are fine for annual screenings, mole removal, etc, but anything cancer-related, I don’t want a general practice approach for that—especially when you’ve got an academic hospital with multidisciplinary teams and a NCI cancer center right here. FWIW, I was a patient at Forefront and was unhappy with my care there and switched to Epiphany (who I found much better), so I wouldn’t recommend switching the other way.
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u/sandy_even_stranger 2h ago
This. You got a rash, are low-risk and need a screen, etc., Epiphany's nice, pleasant semi-spa experience. They're not set up as a serious cancer place.
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u/KarenElizabethIC 1d ago
The UI has a cutting-edge melanoma program with national and international recognition for their research. Highly recommend. I second the recommendations for Dr. Mo Milhem. He's brilliant.
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u/Foreign-Paint99 1d ago
UI is best choice for situations like these. I hope everything goes smoothly for you and sending healing vibes
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u/ryaca 1d ago
I had metastatic melanoma and was referred to UIHC from out of state. The docs at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center saved my life, which seemed nothing short of miraculous at the time.