Hi, to my understanding if new nail grown without the discoloration on it, then it's more due to trauma. I have a vertical line on my fingernail, had it for about a year now. Didn't think nothing of it and thought it would just go away by itself, it is still there and has got slightly darker. I have been to my GP today and been referred to a dermatologist on a quick 2 week referral. I am so so scared that it's subgunual melanoma. I haven't even told my husband or any of my family. I have had lots of health issues lately and do not want to add anything else to it for them. Obviously on the toe, you could have banged it and I know it can some times take months to heal. I hope you get into your GP and they can reassure you. Keep us updated. 

I managed to speak with doctor this Monday and got a referral to see dermatologist on Wednesday - he didn't seem overly concerned about it being a melanoma but is booking me in for a nail removal and biopsy just to be on the safe side. So now I'm waiting for an appointment to come through, although they weren't able to give any indication on time frame, so I have no idea if it will be a matter of days, weeks or months...? The idea of having my toenail removed is pretty grim but I'm hoping it will be sooner rather than later! 
 

Have you had your appointment come through yet?

Thanks Angie. 
Did you go through the same biopsy process before you were diagnosed? 

Mine wasn't subungual but was a mole on my leg (superficial spreading). The biopsy process is the same though, except that subungual necessitates the nail removing to access the mark/mole. If the results are positive for melanoma you will need further surgery which is the same as for all melanoma. This is a Wide Local Excision where further tissue is removed to ensure clear margins. Unfortunately with subungual being on a toe or finger, there isn't a lot of tissue to remove so it sometimes means the tip of the toe or finger has to be removed. 

Thanks for the info - nice to have someone who's been through it tell you some of the more detailed info and facts  

I'm actually not too concerned about it being cancer - I know it's pretty unlikely given how rare it is and even if it does turn out to be a melanoma, I will have caught it early on. 
I just never expected this biopsy part to hurt so much and for this long! 

It will be more painful because of it's location I'm afraid. Hopefully it will settle down soon with lots of elevation!

What happened with your treatment - did you catch it early enough for the wide local exsition to get it all?

Unfortunately my diagnosis was 26 years ago. I didn't have a WLE as the Surgeon was happy enough margin had been removed first time around. Guidelines have since changed and that wouldn't happen now. 13 years later melanoma was found in my groin and pelvic nodes but, after surgery, I've been fine for another 13 years!

Sounds like a bit of a rollercoaster! Great to hear that you've been good after that surgery though! 

Hi.....how did your results go?? I have a brown streak on my small toe nail...I'm so worried

going to see gp tmw

hoping to hear from you........

How long did the pain last for after nail removal?...

I got my results just before Christmas and thankfully got the all clear  

Not going to sugar-coat it - I found the whole thing a lot more painful than expected and it took a lot longer to heal too. 

It does seem that dark lines in nails are more common than I thought they would be and the majority are nothing to worry about. Definitely best to get it checked and put your mind at rest though. Good luck! Let me know what the GP says. X

I got my results just before Christmas and thankfully got the all clear  

Not going to sugar-coat it - I found the whole thing a lot more painful than expected and it took a lot longer to heal too. 

It does seem that dark lines in nails are more common than I thought they would be and the majority are nothing to worry about. Definitely best to get it checked and put your mind at rest though. Good luck! Let me know what the GP says. X

How long did your results take hun and what age was you when you had the line? I am 45 x