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)

[@louiseandfin]‍ Great to hear you're ned - how often are your check ups now? 

[@Tillybobs123]‍ mine was a line all the way from cuticle to top of nail when it first appeared, but incredibly faint. Over the last year it's got wider and darker, especially near the cuticle.

My checkups are every 3 month a full body CT, every 6 months a brain MRI in between I see plastics every 6 months for wellbeing and skin check, these are at a hospital in Manchester and I see a derm at my local hospital 

That's very good aftercare, thank god for the NHS

Yes indeed, cannot fault them one bit 

Hey Louise,

I'm glad to hear that you are doing okay now after your diagnosis. I just wanted a bit of advice, I stabbed myself with a pin about a year ago and it left a faint black line down my thumb nail from the tip to the cuticle, I spoke to my GP and he told me to keep an eye on it and if see if it grows and he'll send me to a dermatologist, it's stayed the same, however my thumb starting to hurt on that side, it's like cold/numb with pain, could you give me some insight into your experience? 

Hello

My oncologist did say he believes my melanoma was caused by some sort of trauma, however, nobody cam be sure with this type. How long have you had the line? After quite some time mine did start to hurt but my nail started to lift after a year and it looked like a bruise. 

Remember how rare this is, keep an eye on it, and if you are still concerned please go back the gp 

Regards 

Thank you for the reply Louise

I've had it for about a18 months now,  my thumb has started hurting I can't quite tell if it's my thumb itself or the nail, all I know it's on the side with the line and I've done some googling like we all do and scared myself silly, I've read it's prominent in Carribbeans, which I am descended from, I've contacted my gp and they are going to send some photos of to a dermatologist, hopefully I can get some answers and relief the stress.

Hi Raymond, I hope you do not mind me messaging..

 I too have a similar case to yourself. I noticed a few months ago a brown streak in my thumb nail and have referred under the two week rule to a dermatologist. 
I have another week to wait and it's driving me crazy not knowing. I have looked back through some pictures and can see the line up to a year and half ago! 
So interested to find out how you got on with your results and how you currently are coping? 
thanks Kayleigh 

Hello

If you have had it this long then I would ask your gp to send you for a biopsy, I had to see 4 different GPS before the last one took it seriously. Mine did go red on the side and hurt when you touched it, kind of like a thrombin pain. You need to be your own advocate in this game and unfortunately a lot of GPS don't know much about the warning signs, please keep making appointments until someone takes it seriously. If only to rule it out, please keep me posted x

Hey,

I spoke to my GP, she said that the lines in melanoma are darker than the one I have on my thumb, but she is going to send the photos I sent her off to a dermatologist for a second opinion and it is a throbbing pain that comes and goes, but it's in the side of my thumb 

Hey,

I spoke to my GP, she said that the lines in melanoma are darker than the one I have on my thumb, but she is going to send the photos I sent her off to a dermatologist for a second opinion and it is a throbbing pain that comes and goes, but it's in the side of my thumb 

Hello

Mine was extremely faint, then it disappeared and I had a kind of bruise on my nail at the bottom but no line where it hurt. Just go with your gut, if it doesn't feel right, pursue it x

I'm definitely going to pursue it, I'm just waiting on the dermatologist second opinion, all I can do is just keep an eye on it I guess, will keep you updated x