My results took around 3 weeks to come back (in 201)5, or so I thought, but in fact the consultant had sent it for a second opinion because he was very surprised, SM being fairly unusual.  However I never had any swellings such as you mention nor was the skin sore (until after the biopsy!) so perhaps those indicate it might be something else?  Its good that there is growing awareness of the possibility of SM in such situations,  and testing to check it out, but there are perhaps clues that it might be something else.

Hi Chalmers30,

Thank you very much for sharing your experience- they've said it will take 3-4 weeks so hopefully sooner rather than later! We are trying to remain positive until we know but its difficult, like you say I suppose there are potentially other things it could be. My husbands x ray came back all fine but I don't think thats any indication to be honest.

Thank you again.

Hi everyone. 
l've got a dark pink stripe the full length of my toenail. I've had pink melanoma before, so my gpis taking me seriously, so I'm over that hurdle at least, and due for biopsy next week.

But my appmt with the plastic surgeon didn't go as I'd wish. He said he proposed to do a punch biopsy through the nail plate, maybe two, side by side.

I asked why he wouldn't be sampling in the matrix area, beneath the cuticle, where the stripe originates, but he just repeated himself and I got nowhere!

so I'd like to ask you seasoned campaigners, please, where on the nail (especially if you have a longitudinal stripe) and how (punch or excision) you were biopsied?  Did you have a biopsy done under the cuticle, where the nail grows from?

My hope is that they'd lift the cuticle and then cut out the origin of the stripe.

He seemed to believe there might be cancer under the stripe, or perhaps he was trying to spare my nail matrix if it's not cancer, but I don't want a false negative result. I want to know and I'm prepared to sacrifice the nail to find out!

thank you everyone, and I pray you have good results from your biopsies.  God bless you

Hi Everone.

There's not been a post updated on the site for a while.

But just wanted to check up on updates / Info .I've just been to see the GP over possible SM which appeared about a month ago on the thumb, 

They've referred me to Hospital & have said I should here within 2 wks.

But wondering what i should request to confirm diagnosis.

Thnaks Kiv

Hi all, very informative thread.

i noticed the bottom third of one of my toenail  had turned black about 6 weeks ago.  Looked like a bruise though I hadn't banged it.  6 weeks on, today, I thought I'd better get it checked out so rang GP and asked for a practice nurse appointment and explained why.  Within an hour a GP had rung, asked for photos via a link he texted to me, he rang me back and said suspected melanoma as it hasn't grown up my toenail and he did the urgent cancer referral there and then.  I will be contacted within 2 weeks.  I am terrified but from reading this whole topic, sounds like I have been very lucky to get such a swift response from my GP.  I will update this.  Very scared now but also reassured by some of the stats others have posted here, so thanks to everyone.

Great news and very reassuring

Hi, did you have an update on this at all? I have noticed a black mark on my pinky toe and don't t go no I've banged it? Am very worried? Hope you are well and any advice you can offer would be amazing x