hi mum has had a biosy on her  nail 4 weeks ago and we still have had any news....is this good or bad?

Hi,

You can't tell whether it's good or bad news from how long it takes I'm afraid. The current waiting time for results can be anything from 2 to 5 weeks. All biopsies go through the same procedure - they are examined by histology, the report goes back to the consultant and then the results are discussed at a Multi Disciplinary Team meeting (MDT). This is where the dermatologist, plastic surgeon, oncologist and specialist nurses decide on the next course of action for each patient as per the biopsy results (discharged if benign or further surgery if positive). The hospital then contact the patient to (usually) come back for their results - it's rare they give results by phone or letter. If the hospital didn't give your mum an idea as to the waiting time for her results, I would ring them on Monday and ask if the results are available and when can you expect to hear from them? Sometimes results are delayed because the MDT is only held once a week.

Good luck, I hope you aren't waiting too much longer and that they bring good news. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi concerneddaughter1 

That is great news. Give my thoughts to your mum. She is very brave.

Yes it is a worrying time. I have got an appointment with the dermatologist on the 28th September 2020. The referral time was within 2 weeks - the seriousness with which the Dr has taken it has left me stunned not least because I saw it at least 8 months ago and just thought nothing of it. 

I am sorry to hear about this Margndog. That is beyond frustrating and I can't offer any words to console you over the unecessary and costly delays. Sounds as if you are on the mend and I hope in some way lots of good comes from this even though that sounds silly.

I have an appointment booked with the dermatology department in 7 days time which was within 1 week of sending a picture of my thumb nail to my GP. As I say, no discussion was had as I was discussing other issues and I so far I have had literally no  medical feedback. I sent the picture and received a referral to dermatology. and that is it. 

My line does not appear to go into the cuticle but is a dark line which goes along the entire nail. Looking at the nail, I can see a similar but lighter line about 1 cm to the side of which also goes along the entire nail.

I am finding I have moments of deep breaths but the speed of things hasn't given me time to really think about it and I am trying not too. I am not sure what to make of this right now.

Biopsy done yesterday, the pain after the anaesthetic wore off has not been pleasant 

More stitches than expected as the lesion was hard to find apparently, not sure if that's a good thing or not.

Results expected in 4 weeks, it's going to be a long 4 weeks...

Hi  LWAFC

im sorry you have had to experience more pain than you had hoped for. 
It was the same for me, I had a lesson removed on my pinky toe and I was in agony after the anaesthetic wore off which shocked me as for a tiny toe I didn't expect that. I was told it was because I was walking around too much and literally pressure .... but with young children it was hard not to walk around. 

I hope you don't have to wait long for your biopsy results and I will keep everything crossed that it is negative. 

it's a long wait and very stressful, but hopefully you will feel in less pain today, keep up with pain relief and try to rest as much as you can. 

take care

sharon 

Thanks Sharon

I'm resting, no work for a week as no way I could type on a keyboard!!

 
Looked back on the thread but can't see how you got on after your biopsy, was it benign or are you still having treatment? 

Hi, 

Well my first biopsy on my little right toe was negative thank god, however about 7 weeks ago I noticed another lesion on my other little toe but this is about 4mm wide - the one biopsied was just 1mm wide. 
 

I am not again stressed and terrified but trying to think positive that the other one was ok. 
move been referred back to the dermatologist and have an appointment on the 13th Oct, so another long wait for me 

 

Hi Raymond,

Your story is similar to mine I had the line on my left thumb for 3 years, but was going through abdominal pain & never bothered about my thumb. Had my gallbladder removed last year and then my thumb started giving me pain in April. 

Don't painic about the quickness of your appointment coming through it is standard practice for the NHS called the 2 week referral so patients get the appointment in or around the 2 week mark.. 

I had my biopsy done in July, had my thumb nail removed and biopsy done on my nail bed.

I hope your appointment with dermatology goes well. 

Hi Weeirish

I hope the biopsy results have hone/go well. Our stories are eerily similar.

I had my dermatology appointment 2 days ago on Monday - they took a picture with what looked like an ipad (I think it was one) and said someone would contact me within 2 weeks. That is it. I don't think even a dermascopy was used - the person wasn't a dermatologist but an assistant nurse who didn't seem to know much and very little was said.

Oddly my brother, after I told him about this line, found he has one (smaller than mine) so is awaiting a Dr's appointment.  He does not know how long he has had it.

Good luck, thank you for your message and please keep me updated with how things are going.

Take care. 

Good luck everyone on your results and journeys, I will be coming up to 2 years since being diagnosed with stage 3B Acral after having my thumb amputated and a positive sentinel node. I currently have no evidence of disease, stay strong and focused and whatever the results, try stay positive. Wishing you all so much luck, anything you need to know about this type of cancer feel free to ask

Hi Louise,

Good to hear from you, I am so pleased to hear you now have NED. I followed your story since before you were diagnosed as I was just starting out my investigations on what thankfully turned out to be benign. 
I am now awaiting a referral for a second lesion. 

Can I ask how long you had the lesion on your thumb before diagnosis? Was it a line or more a streak? What I find strange is how my new streak wasn't there 3 months ago ( it's on my toe and I didn't re paint my nails for a month yet it was just there!) 

I thought they had to grow all the way up the nail which would take months??

Has anyone else just had it appear or have you noticed it start from the nail bed and grow up? 
 

thanks

sharon 

Hi Louise,

Good to hear from you, I am so pleased to hear you now have NED. I followed your story since before you were diagnosed as I was just starting out my investigations on what thankfully turned out to be benign. 
I am now awaiting a referral for a second lesion. 

Can I ask how long you had the lesion on your thumb before diagnosis? Was it a line or more a streak? What I find strange is how my new streak wasn't there 3 months ago ( it's on my toe and I didn't re paint my nails for a month yet it was just there!) 

I thought they had to grow all the way up the nail which would take months??

Has anyone else just had it appear or have you noticed it start from the nail bed and grow up? 
 

thanks

sharon 

Hello lovely 

Sorry to hear your going through more investigations. Fingers crossed everything will fine, you know the odds are in your favour! 

I honestly cannot remember how long I had mine, looking back on photos you can see a tiny black speck on my nail and I mean pin ***, quite surreal to see, further photos show a line, the line then disappeared and a bluey black bruise appeared on my nail about half the size of an eraser on the end of pencil. My nail then started crumbling and lifting and a wart like growth started to push my nail up and bled which is when I went back to drs asking for anti bs as my fungal nail was infected lol.

Mine was so small to start it was unnoticeable, its only now when I zoom in on pics and how educated I now am on Acral Melanoma I see the signs. I must have had it at least 2 years and touch wood I have been lucky so far it hasn't spread to organs but I have just completed a years immunotherapy (March) to help tackle any stray cells that may be lurking.

Try not to worry ok, you got this xx

Hi Louise and Finn

Could you tell me if Acral melanoma can appear with a white grey appearance with a dark bruise area coming from Cutical area only on thumb.

Thank you

Hi Polly

I really can't say it can present in a number of ways. All I know is how mine presented, the main one once the line had a disappeared was a small bruise in the corner but I had several signs tbh. But yes my bruise was on the cuticle area but this could be anything, acral is extremely rare. All i can suggest is to see your gp and if they don't take you seriously, see a different one xx

Thank you for your reply  should of said. Ice already seen GP 2 week referal to dermatologist x-ray photos and a plastic surgeon called in to see me at appointment. Decided in 1/2 nail removal and punch Biopsy.  Waited 4 weeks in which time it changed quite a lot.  Plastic surgeon decided removing whole thumb nail and take biopsy.  Awaiting results. Wasn't prepared how painful it would be. 

Oh you poor thing :cry: yes it is extremely painful, keep it elevated, I left with a sling, keep the painkillers topped up and rest. They remove the nail then take a nice chunk out of the nail bed, it looks very weird when you have the dressing change. Did they give an idea of a timescale, I rang after 2 weeks chasing the results. I really hope and pray you have nothing to worry about. Where are you being treated x

Hi Polly

i am so sorry you are also going through this stressful worrying time. 
I found the wait from biopsybtongettingbresukts was by far the hardest time. I waited 5 weeks for mine and I felt sick every day I was convinced I had SM in my toenail. 
Thankfully my results were negative. I've been back to see the dermatologist again as I got another streak much bigger on my big toe nail but it's not really changed in a few months so the dermatologist was happy to wait and I guess I was because he said I'm prone to melanochyia which is what the last streak was.!

I truly hope you get a negative result and as Louise says keep up with the pain relief xx

I don't know if I'm aloud to give hospital name on chat. I have been told to keep it elevated I had it done a week ago today. I'm right handed so trying to do things left handed takes twice as long.  Still keeping painkillers topped up.  The wait is awful I feel so stupid worrying over a nail and until now I had absouluty no idea you could even get this condition in your nail bed.  My head is trying to play catch up.  Hope you have now been treated and are cancer free.  Thank you so much for the chat.  Xx

Mine was my left thumb. Its very overwhelming and there's not much on the Internet re this type of cancer besides complete horror stories that are outdated. I was referred to psych onc for counselling etc I didnt take it very well in the early days. I just wish there was someone around to help me but everything was focused on CM.

I was the same as you, I didnt have had a clue you could get cancer on your nail bed!! Really scary when you think about it!!

Im nearly 2 years NED now and my CT results yesterday were clear. Take baby steps and you never know, theres more chance of you being negative than positive, keep me updated, direct message me any time... sending lots of positive vibes  

You are so kind.  Im thrilled your scan was all clear.  Thank you for the positive thoughts.  I havent told my Adult children grandchildren or extended family yet as don't want to worry  them until there is something to worry about.  They don't live near me so havnt seen apart from FaceTime calls because of COVID.  I'm praying they will never need to know.  I really appreciate the chat talking to someone who has had nail removed and a biopsy is so helpful.  Positive thoughts.  I've been told results will be 4 weeks (3 WEEKS TO GO) probably because of COVID. Very Best Wishes to you

Hi Tillybobs

Thank you for your reply.  So sorry to hear you have another dark streak on your toe nail lets hope it just disappears.  it is awful waiting for the results.   I'm either going to have good or bad news for christmas.  I've also got a nasty infection at the biopsy site so now on antibiotics that are making me feel rubbish.   I am also interested to read you had a dark streak as I did not, mine was more like bruising at the cutical that widened and grew over the weeks with a grey/white cloudy area above that kept changing in shape and size over the weeks  I did have a faint grey/brown line appeared.  I have not found anyone else apart from bruise have similar so I hope that is a positive.  

Best wishes to you &

Happy Christmas