Hi Louise,

I know this an old post so apologies for replying here but I've tried adding you etc and I'm not the most technologically minded so I'm giving this way a go! Is it ok if we talk please? I am having a thumbnail biopsy on the 29th of this mo th and would love to get your opinion on things if you don't mind! Thanks a lot, Rachael x 

Hi Rachel,

I hope your biopsy went well and you are doing ok. I too had a biopsy done on my thumb on 2nd July, had my nail removed & biopsy on nail bed so am happy to help you with any questions, although I may not know the answer, I know what you are going through! 

I'm still waiting on my results IhI my appointment at the end of August so im trying to stay positive as I have my husband and kids but it's hard not to worry. 

I will try adding you as a friend.

Take Care

Hi,

I'm just going through the waiting process. I've had my nail removed and nail bed for biopsy. How did you get on? I found the plastic surgeon registrar I saw and the surgeon on the day wouldn't give an opinion at all and just said its best to get it off. So hard as you just want something to cling to! 

I've just read this thread and been useful, thanks [@louiseandfin]‍ and [@AngieT]‍ especially.  I had a biopsy last year and results were slightly ambiguous but no need for further treatment/biopsies unless I had more signs. I now had a new line appear in a different place on the same nail measuring bigger, 3mm bottom and 2mm at the top and Hutchinsons sign positive (had developed since Christmas and was seen in Jan but didn't look suspicious then). Lines are also not even. I had the second biopsy done yesterday and waiting on results now and dealing with pain. At least this time I can rest, last time was peak lockdown and no one could help, children were at home and husband had to go to work.

I had it done privately and he's seeing me next Friday with hopefully results but might be a bit longer. Dressing change on Wednesday as last time the first one wasn't nice so didn't want to wait a whole week.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Dear Ellenrose. 
I am so sorry you are having such a worry again. It's just never ending sometimes, I completely empathise with your worry as I also had a second biopsy but on  a different toe ( this time my big toe ) but thankfully it was not sinister. Mine measures 2.5mm at the top and 5mm at the bottom which freaked my out as my pinky toe was a straight line of just over 1mm.

For  me I was just told I am prone to melanochyia but I have to still keep an eye on them, check every 2 months ( I check daily ha ha ) and if they change go back. 

Sending you lots of strength and positive vibes and I hope you get the results soon as the wait is torturous. 
 

good look, thinking of you 

xx

Thanks so much for your message. Good to know your second was ok. Being prone to them also worries me as don't want to go through a biopsy every year with the worry, pain and time off work!

The dermatologist I saw said we have to draw the line on biopsy every time. He didn't really want to do the second one he wanted to wait. It was me who was freaking out over it. 

It was awful going through it again as like you say it's just like a vicious circle, but if I hadn't I would have just constantly worried I had SM as I was convinced I had it. 
 

Do you notice your growing up the nail? Oddly I've not noticed they just seem to appear? But I do wear nail varnish all the time and just do a quick take off and renew  so I didn't really notice it growing up my nail. 
Now I don't wear nail polish - but I wear closed toe shoes, I guess I will have to when the flip flops come out but I like to check them all the time - I think it's made me so paranoid I check everything! 

Mine is on the fingernail, and yes, it's grown up with the nail. This one was very faint and thin in January and halfway up the nail but got a lot darker and wider as it has grown. They were more sure of doing a biopsy this time than last as has more sinister features. If this is benign I will ask about what if it keeps coming back. The nail did grow back clear last year before line reappeared. It's weird. 

Hi EllenRose,

I'm sorry to hear you are going through all this again. I hope it all goes well on Friday and that the results are clear. Please let us know how it goes,

Angie x

Thanks [@AngieT]‍ 

I went for a dressing change this morning. The nurse was very kind but it took 45 mins as it was quite stuck. More uncomfortable than painful and I know the next one won't be so bad. She said it was was looking good so that's one thing.

My biopsy did come back as melanoma. It's gone for a second opinion and then they will have an MDT meeting but looks like it's early so hopefully one more surgery only. Feels very surreal.

Sending you BIG hugs, im here if you need to talk, I found it a very lonely place in the early days with not a lot of people having first hand experience of this sub type, here any time xx

Sending you BIG hugs, im here if you need to talk, I found it a very lonely place in the early days with not a lot of people having first hand experience of this sub type, here any time xx

Hi, I noticed a yellow/brown line on my left thumb last year. Spoke to the GP who said it was fungal and to use nail varnish treatment as she was reluctant to put me on the tablets. One year on and the line is still there, it doesn't seem as dark as the pictures you see on the internet, it's more yellow/light brown but runs from bottom to top. I have sent my GP a picture over a week ago and he has now said he wants to see me, which is another week. I am so worried, it just appeared overnight, it didn't grow with the nail. 

Hi, I've just been to the doctors and I'm waiting to be referred. I called him thinking I had a fungal infection, but he wanted to see me. When I wenth today, he said straight away he had to refer me. I'm panicking like mad and worried about what could be.  
 

It's been requesting reading some of your stories. I first noticed the mark on my toe 3 months ago, and reading about subungal melanoma and the prognosis has scared me to death. All I think about is the worst case

Hi,

It is difficult to not think the worst, but try to distract yourself and remember that fungal infection is very very common and subungual melanoma is rare. I recently had my big toenail removed and the nail bed. Waited about 6-7 weeks for the results and it was fungal. Also, if you only got it 3 months ago if it was anything other than fungal you have caught it very early. Its good/best practice that your GP has referred you. I got referred because I have had a superficial spreading melanoma on my back, so with my history I was referred. I hope that helps a little. Easier said than done but try to keep busy x

I went to my doctors and he agreed mine is definitely not fungal and to get it checked out. Just got off the phone to the hospital who can't give me an estimate waiting time but said it will definitely be over 6 months wait. 
I'm now thinking I need to go private...the worrying is making me ill. 

Thank you, we go away on Monday and I'm hoping it'll offer the distraction I need . 
 

hoping yours is nothing to worry about x

A 6 month wait sounds to me as though your GP referred you under the non-urgent route. I would contact your GP and ask if this is the case & if it's possible they can re-refer you under the 2 week cancer pathway. If they say it's not possible, I would then consider a private consultation with a dermatologist. If they suggest removal for a biopsy and you can't afford to have it privately, they can contact your GP and tell them to re-refer you on the 2 week pathway as per their consultation findings. It will mean you still have to go through the initial referral appointment with the NHS dermatologist but it will then speed up any removal surgery if it's necessary. The Private dermatologist may even turn out to be the NHS dermatologist who you eventually see! 

Hopefully your nail turns out to be something easily treatable but it definitely needs checking out. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 superficial spreading melanoma patient since 2009)

Good luck. GGT12 has given you great advice,

Angie (Stage 3 superficial spreading melanoma patient since 2009)

Hi Angie,

ive been to see the doctor today as I have a dark spot/bruise on my big toe nail, hes said he's 99% sure it's not cancer but has referred me anyway for the urgent 2 week appointment.. 

Is this standard procedure as I'm scared he might be worried and not have said anything, are the allowed to do that? He could see I was very anxious. 
 

Thanks,

Jo 

xxxx
 

I have had my appointment come through for the 14th September that's 4 weeks since I saw the GP. It is by telephone though as I have had to submit photographs

Hi Jo,

Yes it's standard procedure set down by NICE guidance to GPs. As subungual melanoma is uncommon, GPs should err on the side of caution & refer to dermatology if they can't diagnose the nail problem as something else (fungal or trauma). It's much better that it's checked out by an expert so that you know for sure what the cause is. I hope this helps.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)