Hello there and thanks for the post

Try not to worry too much about this if you can. If you have had for many years with no change it is likely to either be a fungal infection or discolouration caused by trauma.

it is my understanding that often nail clippings for fungal can come back as a false negative and the GP needs to consider whether treatment is still needed for fungus. This is something to discuss with your doctor.

As you say if it were melanoma which tends to present in the nail as a vertical dark line you would have thought you would have many more symptoms by now.

Do speak with your GP again to give you peace of mind and reassurance.

Best wishes

Naomi

Hello Naomi I'm still waiting for my nails to grow to send clippings to the lab for testing for fungus infection.  Doctor trained in using a dermatoscopy did use it to look at the toe nail in January.  I did say to him I'm anxious but he wasn't worried.  I've got a follow up dermatology appointment for a different mole on Monday and was going to mention the toe nail but I'm anxious on next steps.  Will they do biopsy there and then or would gp need to refer me again for this other issue.  Is nail melanoma a rare cancer? I've had this discolouration for years to be honest 

Hello, and thank you for coming back to us.

I am afraid I do not know what they will do at the appointment.

However, I can tell you that nail melanoma is very rare and unlikely to have been there for many years.

Do write any questions down so that you can ask when you are at your appointment.

Take care, and hopefully you will know more Monday.

Sarah.