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'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)

Hi,

I do know that some dermatology appointments are being done by telephone once photos have been examined. Obviously we can't know what may be discussed but I would guess the options are that the dermatologist isn't overly worried about the nail and may want to monitor it for a while, or they may want to discuss removing it for biopsy, or they may be able to tell from photos that it doesn't look sinister. Thankfully you aren't waiting too much longer now until you speak to them and I hope it all goes well. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie

Hi,

I do know that some dermatology appointments are being done by telephone once photos have been examined. Obviously we can't know what may be discussed but I would guess the options are that the dermatologist isn't overly worried about the nail and may want to monitor it for a while, or they may want to discuss removing it for biopsy, or they may be able to tell from photos that it doesn't look sinister. Thankfully you aren't waiting too much longer now until you speak to them and I hope it all goes well. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie

Hi Angie

I have just got off the phone to the dermatologist who didn't say anything to me if I'm honest. Please explained that I have had it 12 months and it appeared overnight, which she said was strange.
She says she wants me in to look at it under a microscope which has an 8 week wait. Just as the call was coming to an end she said, do you go on holiday to sunny places a lot? Right I may get you in sooner then. 
I am now more worried than I was before. 

Hi,

I'm sorry that the telephone consultation wasn't as helpful as it should have been. To wait such a long time to be checked out face to face isn't helpful and it must be that the hospital is still playing catch up due to Covid. I really hope that they get you seen quicker than that. Try not to worry (easier said than done) and I'm crossing fingers for you xx

Hi,

Reading this thread has been amazing, so many knowledgeable and incredibly kind people!

I have what I thought was a bruise under my big toe nail, but after 2 months it hasnt grown up even a tiny bit and I googled hoping to find a bruise remedy only to find subungual melanoma everywhere. My doctor has referred my on the 2 week cancer pathway and I am absolutely terrified. 
 

It's a really odd looking mark and doesn't look fungal or really like a bruise should after 2 months. 
 

I don't know what to expect and I have a young family and I'm scared. 
 

if anyone reads this and takes time to reply then thank you x

edit: just realised I did this as a direct response to someone. I didn't mean to, sorry if that's not okay!