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)

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very overwhelming and there's not much on the Internet re this type of cancer besides complete horror stories that are outdated.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

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

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