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)

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.

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

Hello!

I feel so worried about posting on here but it's so reassuring to read that so many of you have been in the same position, and you all sound so supportive. 

I've had a brown line on my right little toenail for about 2 years. I've never thought anything of it, always just ignored it and assumed it was a bruise, until I heard about SM and realised it probably isn't something I should have ignored. 

Anyway, I phoned my GP yesterday and already have a dermatology referral booked for next week. The urgency of everything is worrying me slightly and it's obviously very easy to let Google terrify me, so I'm trying not to research too much. 

I'm 29 with two babies under 3, so the thought of having to deal with anything potentially serious is really knocking me for six. It's reassuring that so many of your dermatology referrals have had positive, happy outcomes, but I still can't help but fear the worst. 

Could someone please tell me what I should expect to happen at my dermatology appointment next week? 

Really glad I've found such a supportive group. 

Hope you are all doing well and have had a lovely Christmas xx

Hello!

I feel so worried about posting on here but it's so reassuring to read that so many of you have been in the same position, and you all sound so supportive. 

I've had a brown line on my right little toenail for about 2 years. I've never thought anything of it, always just ignored it and assumed it was a bruise, until I heard about SM and realised it probably isn't something I should have ignored. 

Anyway, I phoned my GP yesterday and already have a dermatology referral booked for next week. The urgency of everything is worrying me slightly and it's obviously very easy to let Google terrify me, so I'm trying not to research too much. 

I'm 29 with two babies under 3, so the thought of having to deal with anything potentially serious is really knocking me for six. It's reassuring that so many of your dermatology referrals have had positive, happy outcomes, but I still can't help but fear the worst. 

Could someone please tell me what I should expect to happen at my dermatology appointment next week? 

Really glad I've found such a supportive group. 

Hope you are all doing well and have had a lovely Christmas xx

Hi Felicia29

Firatly welcome to the thread although I am sorry you are in the position that you have had to seek support... you will get support on here so I'm glad you have found this thread.

May I just say that I also had a brown line in my little toe nail right at the edge of my nail coming up to two years ago now amd like you I was worried sick amd presumed the worst. 
I also had/ have young children so o think it's only natural we go into full panic mode.

Thankfully for me my biopsy turned out to be negative however I currently have another wider brown steak on my big toe that we are keeping an eye on - I've had it about 18 months now but it hasn't changed. 
 

when I first noticed the streak on my little toe like you I didn't think anything of it for about 6 months amd just covered it up with nail varnish. Then I came across SM online somehow amd freaked out!

I actually paid privately to see a dermatologist as my GP fobbed me off and a few days later the dermatologist who saw me thought it was just melanochyia and nothing to worry about but couldn't say for certain. 
 

He gave me the option to photograph it and see him again in 3 months and see if there are any changes or go ahead with a biopsy. 
I felt he was happy to watch amd wait so that's what o decided..... however a month later it was really affecting me emotionally amd I had already convinced myself it was SM so I decided I had to know one way or another so I went back to see him and we both felt the streak was getting wider so he arranged the biopsy. 
I had to wait 4 weeks for the biopsy doing and I won't lie it hurt like hell for a few days every time I tried to walk but I was so relieved it was done. 
I had to wait 6 weeks for my results and that almost ate away at me as again I was convinced no news was not good. 
I eventually got the negative result and I was elated because I was convinced it was SM as it had changed. 
 

it's good your GP has referred you so quickly. 
have you noticed any change in the line over the last 2 years at all?

SM is very rare but I know when you are worried about it we just presume the worst and we will be the one so I can empathise how you are feeling. 
Try to remain as calm as you can, write down any questions you have for the dermatologist and remember the chances are this is nothing sinister. 
xxx