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Subungual Melanoma

Skeggie
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I visited the Doctor 10 months ago as I thought I had a fungal toe infection, my nail was discoloured, clippings were taken but they came back negative, no further treatment. Since then the nail had developed a thick black stripe and another nail just fell off so back to doctors I went yesterday. I am in a little bit of shock today as 24 hrs later I have an appointment with a skin specialist at our local hospital. I have read a few articles on melanoma on line and cant take all of it in yet - is there anyone on here that undestands this type of cancer?

  • Offline in reply to janey2508
    Hi all, I always bump my pinky toes all the time under the table or bed foot, one day I noticed it turned brown which I thought were just bruises. Thought it would go away but it didnt. Today when cleaning my toe nails I noticed that all my toes in my right food have the same discolouration. I googled it and found out about subungual melanoma and now Im so worried. I could not reach my gp so I called 111, they arranged me to be contacted by a gp. The gp asked me what I think it is, i told him that i read online about SM. He just plainly told me he is not worried, despite me telling him about SM. I badly need help :(
  • Offline in reply to mbkooij81

    Hello mbkooij81,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I am sorry to hear you are worried about subungual melanoma,

    Perhaps you could actually make an appointment on Monday to see your GP and show your toe nails? It will help you feel better I think if someone actually examines your nails rather than speaking to a doctor on the phone. In the meantime, try not to worry too much - I am sure the doctor will be able to reassure you. 

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie
    Hi everyone, Around two months ago, I noticed a brown mark on my big toe but dismissed it as a bruise. Still there and slightly bigger I googled it and found out about subungual melanoma! I went to the doctors today and he has said to contact my doctors (as I went to a walk-in clinic), explain and they'll refer me to a skin specialist. I'm really concerned that I've got this! :( Amelia
  • Offline in reply to AmeliaC
    Hi, I am wondering what happened with this? I have a very similar story. I have had a bruise on my big toe for a few months but thought nothing of it. In the past week a brown area has also appear on the skin at the top corner. I tried to get an appointment with my gp but I can't get one for two weeks! I rang 111 but they told me it's probably just a bruise but to go to a walk in centre. I went to a walk in centre and they said they can't do anything and I need to wait to see my gp to be referred! I just want answers and fearing it could be SM.
  • Offline in reply to kat_86
    Hiya. I went to the hospital and the doctor thought it was trauma.. he said to leave it a few months to see if it would grow out (in this case it's nothing to worry about), and if it stayed to come back in for further checks. The brown mark grew out so wasn't a problem and turned out to be where I've knocked it. Is the new growth seperate to the previous or the same? I'd take some pictures and try see if it moves at all in the mean time. I wouldn't worry though! Especially as you said there was a bruise there before. X
  • Offline in reply to kat_86

    Hi,I noticed the black line on a toe nail around 4 months ago,went to see my GP,he referred me to a specialist,waited 3 weeks and went in to hospital 4 days ago to have the nail and the lesion removed from the nail bed so a biospy can be done,just a waiting game now.

  • Offline in reply to kuga

    Can you give me some more information on the biopsy please as I have a appointment next friday. I have 2 black lines on both toes .

    Thanks

  • Offline in reply to chalmers30
    Hi there I was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma in my nail too.started off as fungus nail infection then over he years went progressively worst till the nail disappeared.just waiting for an amputation of middle finger.an ultra scan showed last Friday that it hasn't spread thank God! But it's the waiting now.my finger has been out of use for a while as it's bandaged up.
  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Julia
    Hello Julia Sorry I have a quick question to ask. As far as I’ve been reading about melanoma, the sooner you get diagnosed the better the scenario. For that matter, would it help to make an appointment directly with a dermatologist? I’m afraid going through GP, and then refer to a specialist in a local NHS hospital will take ages. I have a blurry black line appeared on my right thumb all of the sudden, and in the same week I discovered there’s a patch of skin (1 cm long) appeared brown-ish on my groin area. On top of that, I have been suffering some kind of hand dermatitis for a few years, it comes and go and have not thought much of it. Until I read about what it could be with a black line in one finger or toe, and then read about Actinic Keratosis. All very scary at the moment. Any words of advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time in advance. kind regards, Bernadette
  • Offline in reply to bernadette_m

    Hi everyone, I have been going through kind of the same thing with a brown stripe on baby toenail. I had to wait 8 days until I saw my dermatologist after referral by doctor and it was an excruciating wait!! When the dermatologist did check my toe with the Dermoscope and cut down my toenail she told me it was melanonchyia and that she was not concerned. However I have to go back for a 3 month check up which will be in Feb she wanted me to come back due to me being fair skinned, my anxiety is sky high at the moment as I’m constantly thinking she might see something sinister this time I’m just praying I will be ok. Good luck  and best wishes  to everyone going through this it’s so scary but earlier the diagnosis the better the outcome so please don’t wait or ignore it. See your doctor ASAP! 

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