Hi Jo,

I'm in exactly the same position as you. I went to my GP last Monday as I have a black spot/bruise on my big toe and she referred me to dermatology, im yet to hear from them.

Mine isn't streaky and hasn't any lines at all, it is in the middle of my toe nail. Im a bit panicked to be honest! Google is not my friend at the minute and I've terrified myself. 

When is your appointment? 

Deb.

Thanks Angie, you're so helpful! 
 

Hi Deb,

my referral is Thursday 23rd with the dermatologist/plastics not sure exactly which the lady on phone said plastics but letter says dermatology? From what my doctor said cancer normally shows as lines across the toe nail/in the nail bed. Being in the middle sounds promising and also that it's not lines! What did your doctor say? Was he concerned or just following protocol and being extra safe? It's so horrible and such a worrying time! Google really isn't helpful and I've stopped looking now as it's only making things worse.. as the other ladies have said it's a very uncommon cancer and 9 times out of 10 it's just nail trauma we haven't remembered causing! The letter does explain they fast track to put your mind at ease and as part of protocol, Try not to stress too much! Easier said than done I know!

xxx

Hi Jo,

Thank you for the reassurance. My GP basically said she couldn't offer me 100% reassurance as she didn't really know for certain it wasn't melanoma. She did explain it didn't have the typical characteristics but wanted to get it looked at to be certain. 

What does your mark look like? How are you feeling about your appointment? 

Oh I see! It's better to be safe than sorry, not having typical characteristics is a good sign so just try focus on that! 

mine is like a bruise/blood spot, it started right in the corner of the nail bed but is moving up the nail now. It's not massive compared to my nail. I sent u a friend request maybe I can send u a pic via message? Not sure as I'm new to this site 

x

Hi Jo,

I've accepted your friend request so I'll send you a quick message!

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!

Good morning everyone

This is an interesting thread for me to read as I have received a positive diagnosis of a subungual acral lentiginous melanoma in my thumb .... its has left me reeling with so many frustrations and emotions.

It started 3 years ago with a ridge in my nail that developed into a split ... I saw my GP who said 'its just a split nail', the Covid pandemic hit and even though I had telephone appointments (sending pictures too) the doctors took a while to finally refer me to a dermatologist, hence here we are now!

I had a biopsy done on 1st Feb, diagnosis confirmed on the 3rd March, Breslow 5.3mm, 2 mitoses/mm2, pT4a, Stage 2b, no lymphovascular or perineural invasion, my first full CT scan was yesterday 11th March. I have an MRI next Tuesday and then see the plastic surgeon on the next day, hopefully this will be to discuss the scan results and arrange a date to have my thumb aputated.

So much to take in, it's so distressing for me and my beautiful family ...

Reading on here has been helpful to me as this is such a rare skin cancer

Sending big hugs to everyone x