Hi Louise,

I know this an old post so apologies for replying here but I've tried adding you etc and I'm not the most technologically minded so I'm giving this way a go! Is it ok if we talk please? I am having a thumbnail biopsy on the 29th of this mo th and would love to get your opinion on things if you don't mind! Thanks a lot, Rachael x 

Hi Rachel,

I hope your biopsy went well and you are doing ok. I too had a biopsy done on my thumb on 2nd July, had my nail removed & biopsy on nail bed so am happy to help you with any questions, although I may not know the answer, I know what you are going through! 

I'm still waiting on my results IhI my appointment at the end of August so im trying to stay positive as I have my husband and kids but it's hard not to worry. 

I will try adding you as a friend.

Take Care

Hi,

thanks for answering ️ I had the same biopsy as you last Wednesday...very unpleasant for a few days afterwards! I just had it cleaned and the dressing changed yesterday. I was told my results would be rushed through and I'd have them in 7-10 days, I think my surgeon was wildly optimistic!! I've decided to hope for the best til I hear from them. Did your surgeon have any ideas on yours? Wishing you well, we could both be lucky! Xx

Hi,

thanks for answering ️ I had the same biopsy as you last Wednesday...very unpleasant for a few days afterwards! I just had it cleaned and the dressing changed yesterday. I was told my results would be rushed through and I'd have them in 7-10 days, I think my surgeon was wildly optimistic!! I've decided to hope for the best til I hear from them. Did your surgeon have any ideas on yours? Wishing you well, we could both be lucky! Xx

Hi 

Yes very unpleasant for a few days, it eases after the first dressing change as that's a pressure bandage, although still painful. My dressing was completely stuck for the first few changes so wasn't great! 

Lucky you ifgif youyyou get results quickly, I have another 3 weeks to wait..

I think my surgeon is a pro poker player as I got nothing from her , just told I would get a call with my results. 

Hope your recovery is going well..

Take Care

Good luck with your results guys, keep on top of the dressings, I didn't have an appointment for 2 weeks and the bandage had to be soaked off, took forever

I got my results 2 weeks after biopsy but only cus o hounded them, my appointment to be seen was 4 weeks after being told. 

Im praying you both get good news xxx

Hi All

How long did you all wait for a biopsy?

I went to the dermatologist back in February with a brown line on my index finger, while I was there she diagnosed a basal cell carcinoma on my face which I've since had removed, infilitrating so I now have a lovely scar.

She was unsure on the nail and arranged for a clinical picture. I went back on Wednesday as I felt like the line had widened, and she wants to do a biopsy as it's doubled in size in that period of time.

Also, did anyone else have any other issues with the affected finger? Other than the line mine looks ok, but is a little sensitive - although I'm not certain it's not just my imagination as I'm worrying over it.

I know having already had a form of skin cancer, I'm now more likely to have another form - but I'm clinging to the hope that it's not as it's so rare.

Hi,

Biopsy waiting time is being affected by the Covid virus. In some hospitals the biopsies are being done quickly (about 2 weeks wait) because their dermatology clinics aren't too busy, but other hospitals are taking much longer because their clinics are affected by staff shortages and they aren't having as many clinics to try and reduce the chance of Covid being caught. All I can suggest is that, if you haven't received an appointment after 2 weeks, give the consultant's secretary a ring & ask if they can give you an idea how long the wait will be. If it's a long wait, tell them you are happy to take a last minute cancellation (if you are available to drop everything) - sometimes it helps getting a quicker surgical slot.

You are right that, having suffered one type of skin cancer you heighten your risk of getting another (either the same type or a different type). However, this doesn't necessarily apply to subungual melanoma because this type is caused, in the main, by genetics rather than UV damage. Those who have had a basal cell (caused by UV) heighten their risk of superficial spreading melanoma (also caused by UV damage) and vice versa. This is all due to sun burn or lack of sun screen in the earlier years. So don't worry that the bcc may have caused the nail problem but do take notice of sun safety in the future as you are certainly more at risk of having another bcc (my dad has had 2 several years apart).

Good luck & I hope you aren't waiting too long for the biopsy,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Thanks Angie

Oddly enough, my basal cell carcinoma former under a healing scar caused by hair straighteners - I thought it'd just not healed well and ignored it for a few years. Lesson learned there.

I know my referral will be to the plastic surgeon, so I'm assuming it's not just a punch biopsy. The waiting is the worst bit, but luckily I work from home at the moment so could attend with little to no notice so I'll definitely tell them that.

I have my consultation with the plastic surgeon in 3 weeks - had hoped to be seen sooner as the line is widening at the base of the nail. 

The waiting is the worst bit :( 

Hi,

I'm just going through the waiting process. I've had my nail removed and nail bed for biopsy. How did you get on? I found the plastic surgeon registrar I saw and the surgeon on the day wouldn't give an opinion at all and just said its best to get it off. So hard as you just want something to cling to! 

I've just read this thread and been useful, thanks [@louiseandfin]‍ and [@AngieT]‍ especially.  I had a biopsy last year and results were slightly ambiguous but no need for further treatment/biopsies unless I had more signs. I now had a new line appear in a different place on the same nail measuring bigger, 3mm bottom and 2mm at the top and Hutchinsons sign positive (had developed since Christmas and was seen in Jan but didn't look suspicious then). Lines are also not even. I had the second biopsy done yesterday and waiting on results now and dealing with pain. At least this time I can rest, last time was peak lockdown and no one could help, children were at home and husband had to go to work.

I had it done privately and he's seeing me next Friday with hopefully results but might be a bit longer. Dressing change on Wednesday as last time the first one wasn't nice so didn't want to wait a whole week.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Dear Ellenrose. 
I am so sorry you are having such a worry again. It's just never ending sometimes, I completely empathise with your worry as I also had a second biopsy but on  a different toe ( this time my big toe ) but thankfully it was not sinister. Mine measures 2.5mm at the top and 5mm at the bottom which freaked my out as my pinky toe was a straight line of just over 1mm.

For  me I was just told I am prone to melanochyia but I have to still keep an eye on them, check every 2 months ( I check daily ha ha ) and if they change go back. 

Sending you lots of strength and positive vibes and I hope you get the results soon as the wait is torturous. 
 

good look, thinking of you 

xx

Thanks so much for your message. Good to know your second was ok. Being prone to them also worries me as don't want to go through a biopsy every year with the worry, pain and time off work!