Hi RLS81.

Welcome to the forum. I am not a doctor and I have no medical qualifications.

Melanoma under the nail is very rare, so statistically the odds are good that this will prove to be a false alarm.  Reading other people's experiences, despite your GP's confidence, it is not always possible to identify these marks by visual inspection, and I think that your private consultant will definitely want to play it 100% safe.  So I think it likely that your consultant will order some form of biopsy, either a "punch" biopsy through the nail, or the surgical removal of the nail to reveal the nail bed, from which biopsies can be taken.  This means that you might not get the answers you crave immediately, but will face a wait for the biopsy results.

I would urge you not to panic if biopsies are ordered. It is by no means certain that it will prove to be cancer however it's best to be safe than sorry - but the wait may mean yet more stress. 

Hi,

Telemando has advised just what I would advise. Subungal melanoma is rare so hopefully your partner won't be diagnosed with this. In the unlikely event he is, please send me a pm as I have contact with a couple of patients who suffer from this. I'm sorry, I have no experience of linear melanonychia..

I'm actually very annoyed to hear how your partner was treated by the GP. Under NICE guidelines they must refer you to a dermatologist if they think it's suspicious or they are unsure of what it is.. If the GP couldn't give your partner a definitive diagnosis (which he couldn't because he's not a dermatologist) he should have made a referral. Taken from the NICE guidelines - 

'When should I refer?

Urgently refer (within 2 weeks) to a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or other suitable specialist with experience of melanoma diagnosis if:The lesion is suggestive of malignant melanoma (including nodular and amelanotic melanoma). For example:

Lesions scoring 3 points or more (based on major features scoring 2 points each and minor features scoring 1 point each) on the 7-point checklist. However, any one feature is adequate to prompt urgent referral.

New nodules which are pigmented or vascular in appearance.

Nail changes, such as a new pigmented line in the nail or pigmentation under the nail.' 

cks.nice.org.uk/melanoma-and-pigmented-lesions

Showing you his nails is not the way a professional clinician should behave and forcing you to go privately is not acceptable. Can I suggest that, once your partner has seen the dermatologist, you make a complaint to the Practice Manager at the surgery - use the above NICE information in your complaint. It's only by making complaints that GPs consider getting further training in the signs of melanoma & other patients in the future won't have to endure what you have endured. I really hope that your partner is given the all clear by the dermatologist and please let us know how they get on.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Thanks for you reply. In all honesty I am expecting a biopsy because there is no other was to be certain.

I'm hoping the dermatologist looks at it and visually doesn't have any concerns and biopsy is more of a precaution. This is the longest 2 weeks ever. 

I'm trying to be positive and think to myself it will have showed signs of change by now if it was something serious. It's light brown and if any thing, it has faded slightly since it first appeared. It's also only about 2mm in width - if that.

I will keep the thread updated when I have some news.

Thanks again.

Looked up Cancer as i  was told by Dr it may be skin Cancer. under the nail .I knew that the dark mark under my nail was not norm even though i had a finger on the other hand that had a pinch under the nail that grew out . after few weeks this one seems to be on the skin and under the nail ? .Ive been sent a dermatologist appointment . and its very quick 3 weeks .

But 3 weeks is a long time  when you have had Cancer before .and i almost knew that it was Cancer straight away but it was in my thyroid ,I did show it to m DR at cancer Yearly check  .but she seem to think it was nothing .but she did offer to send me to see a dermotologist .but i waited a little longer just to see if it changed or grew out .? but it just stays in the same place .   Bit scared this time as i got the feeling again that it not norm ..lets just say i hope im wrong . as i do everything to i supposed to do inc breast check and smear ,and have bloods done Regular .  

Even if i am wrong i do hope so Im kicking Cancer butt at race for lifes and pretty muddy 2019 .

Phew that help to talk about it nobody wants to talk about cancer .in my family it means dome . 

I have just come back from aeeing the dermatologist who is referring me for a.biopsy. he has said nail melanoma is rare so just precautionary.  Would rather know for sure. 

Hi, I know this is an old thread but wondering any updates? I have light brown streak on my little toe..