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)

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

Thank for your  reply! 
glad to hear they do not think it is serious! I do feel for your dilemma but if you think it will cause you more long term Damage in terms of the worry it may cause you and worrying what could be then I would say to do it.

How long do they say it will put you out of work for?

my band is around 1.5-2mm in width and a brown streak but it isn't really dark as in black. Although I think it may have got darker as that's how I noticed it was there. Going through pictures it does look lighter in the past but hard to tell

properly from a photograph. 
please let me know how you get on and good luck with your journey!
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Hi Raymond,

Firstly - I'm not a medical professional, so this is just my experience and opinion. 

I had a thin brown line on my index fingrnail appear around a year ago, was barely visible and I assumed I'd perhaps stained the nail with ink or similar. It got darker, and I saw my GP who referred me onto dermatology. They thought it was melanonchyia but took a clinical picture for observation. I went back in August as the line had doubled in width and got darker. 

I had the Biopsy in late September - it was painful for a week or so, I couldn't type. It's much better now, doesn't look very pretty but no pain. 

I don't have the results back yet, so I don't know if it is cancerous or not (I have previously had Basal Cell Carcinoma and am high risk for more of those) but I'm glad that one way or another I'll know what it was and it's set my mind at rest as it's difficult not to catastrophise and think the worst. 

Still no results, my appointment was set for today and Surgeon called to say they want to do a further round of testing on the Biopsy Sample

I asked if that was a good thing or not, and apparently it just means it's not very obviously cancer, but likewise it's not very obviously normal - so another 2 week wait, and fingers crossed when I have my next appt in 2 weeks the results will be back fully. 

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

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

my cyst under my thumb nail was non malignant sobbed with relief.  Been given a blue card if i need a follow up in 3 -6 months.  Thank you to all that contacted me on chat.  Best wishes and positive thoughts to anyone waiting diagnosis.  Merry Christmas xx

Polly4,

That is great news, I am so happy for you!

Merry Christmas xx

Hope your son got good news 

Hi Betty,

With the whirlwind that is Christmas with children, I forgot to update once we were back from his appointment. Thanks for asking after him - it reminded me I hadn't updated.

The results of the biopsy are not available yet. The paed plastic surgeon holds a children's clinic once a month local to where we live. The one on Christmas Eve was 2 and a half weeks after the biopsy, so  I think the team at the Children's Hospital made an appointment hoping that the results would be back (they said it would be 2 to 3 weeks).

So we are still waiting, but in the meantime, his finger is healing really well and he is happy in himself.

I am thinking of you and your son and praying for good news.  Hope you had a lovely Christmas and glad to hear your sons finger is healing.  

Best wishes xx

Polly4, Louiseandfin, Betty25,

I've just had results through in a letter. My son's streak is nothing to worry about, so I am assuming it was a mole in the nailbed whose pigment 'leaked' into the nail. We have a follow up appointment at the end of this month, so will find out more then. But for now, I can breathe a little easier!

Thank you for your support and kind wishes,

Kat x