Hi,

I'm afraid I don't have personal experience of subungual (nail) melanoma (mine is on the skin) but I do know a small number of patients who have been diagnosed over the years. If you search 'subungual' in the Search Forum bar at the top of the page you will find some posts - although they are from last year I'm sure they may be helpful. For general information this website is very informative Acral lentiginous melanoma - Melanoma Focus

Subungual melanoma is quite rare, only about 3% of melanoma cases are subungual. As far as I'm aware it is always a primary melanoma, not secondary (it's not usual for a superficial spreading (on the skin) melanoma to then spread to under the nail. 

If it is diagnosed as subungual melanoma the treatment is usually the same as for superficial spreading, however, because of the location of the melanoma and the need for another, wider, removal of tissue, it sometimes necessitates the removal of the toe. Further treatment is then dependant on the depth of the melanoma. Over a certain depth a Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy may be advised - if melanoma is then found to have spread to a node(s) further surgery may be offered and/or adjuvant drug therapy offered.

I hope this helps and good luck with your appointment. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009) 

Hi,

I'm afraid I don't have personal experience of subungual (nail) melanoma (mine is on the skin) but I do know a small number of patients who have been diagnosed over the years. If you search 'subungual' in the Search Forum bar at the top of the page you will find some posts - although they are from last year I'm sure they may be helpful. For general information this website is very informative Acral lentiginous melanoma - Melanoma Focus

Subungual melanoma is quite rare, only about 3% of melanoma cases are subungual. As far as I'm aware it is always a primary melanoma, not secondary (it's not usual for a superficial spreading (on the skin) melanoma to then spread to under the nail. 

If it is diagnosed as subungual melanoma the treatment is usually the same as for superficial spreading, however, because of the location of the melanoma and the need for another, wider, removal of tissue, it sometimes necessitates the removal of the toe. Further treatment is then dependant on the depth of the melanoma. Over a certain depth a Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy may be advised - if melanoma is then found to have spread to a node(s) further surgery may be offered and/or adjuvant drug therapy offered.

I hope this helps and good luck with your appointment. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)