Biopsy taken awaiting results

Feeling super stressed and hoping to get some advice on here, about 10 weeks ago I had pain in my big toe nail, the pain would only be present at night, I removed my nailvarnish to find a discoloured nail down one side, it was chalk looking, I assumed I had a fungi infection so purchased some nail medication, I used it continuously for a few weeks with no change so visited the Gp, the Gp said it could be gout or fungus so done some clippings and blood test, clipping come back negivite for fungus and bloods were clear for gout, all blood showed was mean column platelets were low.  He told me to continue with fungus medication as he was convinced this was the cause.  I continued for a further 2 weeks but the pain at night was still there and the colour was getting darker. I also had a lots of redness around the nail bed on the skin.  So I returned to the Gp who sent me to dermatologist on a 2ww, when seeing them they said it could be an ingrown nail, fungus or melanoma, and prescribed more medication for 2 weeks, I used medication but my toe got worse! I went to see them on Thursday and when I arrived I meet the dermatologist and plastics and the decided to do a biopsy the next day.  I was told it would take 3 weeks to get the results? After the very painful procedure they said I should come back in 1 week for the results? Should I be worried the results have gone from

3 weeks to 1? 

Sorry for long post 

  • Hi Donna26,

    I'm sorry that you have been suffering so long with this & that it's only just been biopsied. 

    I think the discrepancy between the results time may be because 3 weeks was quoted by the dermatologist but 1 week by the plastic surgeon? This may be due to the plastic surgeon, on seeing the tissue removed for biopsy, asked for it to be fast tracked. It doesn't necessarily mean it's melanoma but, just in case it is, they want to get the result before Christmas so they can put together a treatment plan without having to wait into the New Year. Either that, or sometimes dermatologists or plastic surgeons aren't up to date with the turnaround time for histology results so don't be surprised if it takes 3 weeks instead of 1 week. I'm assuming they will either ring or write to you with an appointment date once the results are received. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (melanoma patient)

  • Thank you for your reply, it was both the dermatologist and and the plastics that said 3 weeks, at the end of the biopsy the plastics said they would fast track the results and see me in the MDT clinic on Thursday at 11.20, I did ask if they seen anything and they said no, but I know how things generally work and would assume they have said no as they didn’t want to worry me, it’s actually made me worry more! I am sorry you are currently going through melanoma and I hope you are coping ok. I will keep this chat updated with the results. 

    I thought the biopsy would be a very simple procedure but it took so long and I’ve ended up with stitches, a blue shoe to walk with and no driving for at least 2 weeks. 

  • Hi how did you get on with this?