Subungual Melanoma referral

Hi, I'm new here and worrying like mad. I had a fungal nail on my thumb with a light black line down the side, I went the docs twice and they said it's more than likely fungal as the rest of my nail was yellow brown and crumbling off. I was told to use a home remedy of nail applicator which can take up to a year. They don't like to give pills for fungal nail as I would need a liver function test due to the strength of them apparently. 

Anyway, I just carried on with my home treatment for nearly a year now, the black has thickened and is starting to raise my nail bed at the side. At the weekend, blood was spurting everywhere from and it was seeping blood all weekend. my nail went flat but stayed black. it's now raised up again with what looks like a lump of skin (I thought it was a blood blister) but smelling so I went to my gp again to treat infection if I had one.

saw a different gp and he agreed I had an infection and gave me anti bs. He then said he was referring me to a specialist and to expect an appointment within 2 weeks to be tested for menalona! 

straight away I went to Dr Google, I cannot sleep with fear, I'm 40 with a 6 year old son and no other family. I'm petrified that the black line has been there for well over a year and nothing has been done and it could potentially now have put my life at risk. Can somebody advise me or help me relating to this I'm so so scared waiting for an appointment and all I'm doing is imagining the worst.

Thankyou 

  • Hi

    I am a week post Biopsy.  My first appointment with dermatologist was just to look.  They called in a plastic surgeon while I was at that appointment and they decided I would have half thumb nail removed and punch Biopsy.  They took photos and I had x-ray of my thumb.  When I went for biopsy, whatever it is,  had grown quite a bit during my 4 week wait.  So they have taken off my whole thumb nail ( its was very  painful but easing now) and done a biopsy  of the area.  Now awaiting results which I'm told will be 4 weeks.  I am hoping your results are Good.    Good luck.

  • 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 lau2022,

    Sorry for the late reply to your question. I have sent you a private message. x