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Newly diagnosed Subungual melanoma (of the thumb nail)

alanabanana
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Hi,

 

So I'm 31, I've just been diagnosed with subungual melanoma of my thumb nail. I'm scheduled to have my third operation in 2 days and a skin graft to cover the area, as my surgeon will be taking 5mm margins. 

 

He seems to think that it is in-situ, so it hasnt spead, but I can't help but worry how they know that without checking my lymph nodes? 

 

I've been told I'm pretty unlucky as this is a very rare sub-type of melanoma. I'm 31 years old, mummy to an 11 year old and a 9 year old. I just want to make sure that I'm not going to find myself with a re-occurring cancer down the line. 

 

Thanks guys,

Alana x

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    Hi Alana,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat, although sorry that you find yourself here.

    This is indeed a rare cancer, but if it is in-situ, as your surgeon suspects, it should be quite straightforward to isolate.

    I can fully understand you not wanting a recurrence of this further down the line. The main thing to prevent this is for your surgeon to take a large enough margin from around the affected area. It sounds as if he has been pretty thorough and has already discussed this with you.

    I do hope that there are no further problems and that you will be here to see those lovely sons of yours grow into fine young men.

    There is always someone here if you want to talk. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

    Here’s hoping that your operation and skin graft work well for you and put an end to your worries.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you Jolamine.

    The op went well, he went down to the bone so hoping that the skin graft takes. 

    Thank you for your reassurances. 

    X

  • Offline in reply to alanabanana

    Hi Alanabanana,

    I am glad to hear that the op went well and that your surgeon went down as far as he could get.

    When does your surgeon expect your skin graft to heal? How does your graft feel, or have you had any problems with it?

    I'm sure that everything will come good in the end.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine

     

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