Hi Polly4,

We are a little bit behind you - my son had a biopsy on his nail bed last week.

I'd noticed a line on his nail in the first week back at school in September (he's just gone into year 6). Contacted the GP who put him on an urgent (but not 2 week) referral after seeing photos. Got myself in a right flap and saw a dermatologist privately, who asked us to return after a month. The line in his nail was wider and hadn't started to clear the cuticle so although the Derm said it was extremely unlikely to be SM, she wanted a biopsy done. Another 2 week wait to see the plastic surgeon, who then said he wanted to do the biopsy urgently and would remove half the nail. After a week of isolating because of COVID my son had it done last week.

In the end they took his whole nail off too and said they'd taken a bit of a margin around what was there. I was told to expect the results in 2 to 3 weeks. We have an appointment to see the plastic surgeon again on Christmas Eve, which I believe is to get the biopsy results, but it doesn't say that on the letter. So, like you, we may get either good or bad news for Christmas.

My son does not know the potential seriousness of his nail line, of course, just that he needed a biopsy to see if it was something that needed treating or not. I am dreading a bad outcome. I know the chances of it being Subungual Melanoma are extremely small, but then I think that someone has to be the 'one' in 'one in a billion' or whatever.

Hi KatSuma 

Bless you, nightmare isn't it I'm praying you have good news for your son. I have been told 4 weeks for result I'm over 2 week wait so I make that just before Christmas but don't have an appointment yet, but pleased you have yours.  Will be thinking of you both.  Keep us posted.

Best wishes

Xx 

Hi katsina

So sorry you are going through this right now, my boy is in year 4 and it would just be unthinkable!!

The Drs you are seeing are being very thorough and these tests are to rule out anything. Please please please remember the odds are massively in your favour! This is extremely rare and the chances of a positive result are TINY. I know its not the best time to recieve any such result please focus on how in favour the results will be for your little one. Deep breath, you will do this,  I hope he is doing well after his biopsy, sending BIG hugs xxxx

Hi lousieandfin,

I am currently clinging on to the fact that this particular cancer is extremely rare in children. My son had a general anaesthetic to have the procedure done and that added to the anxiety for me (although he was excited to be having one!) I have been amazed at how he has been since - he was back at school for the afternoon the day after the surgery and says his finger aches but doesn't really hurt. We have to go back for the first dressing change today - he has asked me to take a picture of what it looks like so that he can show his brothers!

The dermatologist we saw stressed that it is highly unlikely to be SM, but there were enough red flags to make a biopsy necessary. She also pointed out that if it does turn out to be SM we have caught it reasonably early - assuming that the line did only appear early September.

xx

Polly4,

I really hope you get your results soon, the waiting is so difficult.Fingers crossed for good news for you. xx

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.