Cancer Research UK main site

Subungal Melanoma Referral

ciara1989
Offline

Hi I wondering if anyone can give me some advice? I went to my doctor two weeks and about a black line down one of my toenails. She made an urgent referral to dermatology that I went to today and he made an urgent referral for a toenail biopsy. How long does this usually take on the NHS? Also is it sore? I've a two year old and I'm also pregnant. Worried sick and can't help but thinking the worst.

  • Offline

    Hi Ciara1989,

    I'm sorry you are going through all this, especially with a young family. I don't have personal experience of subungal melanoma as mine is subcutaneous melanoma (it had spread from the skin to my lymph nodes). However, there are several posts on the form regarding subungal (or acral) melanoma and some describe the surgery and post surgery affects. I suggest you search on subungal melanoma in 'Search Forum' at the top of the page - particularly read the posts from Louiseandfin and RickyB who have both had this excision surgery. 

    With regards to how long it will be for your biopsy surgery, most hospitals are taking an average of 3 weeks. Hopefully you won't be waiting that long & I hope it all goes well. Please let us know how you get on,

    Angie

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thanks for getting back to me angie! I'll have a look now thank you 

  • Offline in reply to ciara1989

    Hi Ciara, which toe is it? I'm unsure what type of biopsy they will do as you could have a punch biopsy or the nail removal. 

    When derm referred me they never mentioned the punch biopsy (mine was thumb) but I know others have had it.

    With me they injected blocker into the base of my thumb a few times, they then made an incision at either side of my nail where the skin meets the nail, they then pulled the skin back including nail, some surgeons try to preserve the nail and sew it back, with me they removed it all. The procedure took about 40 minutes from start to finish. Once the numbing agent wore off I was in agony, try get some strong pain relief from your gp the day before which are on hand when it does wear off, he prescribed me zapain and naproxen which did help. Good luck and I pray you have a negative result. Try keep busy, stay away from the internet, you will make yourself sick. Acral melanoma is rare and there isn't much data on the internet that isn't a horror story, trust me I've been through all the emotions. 

    I had a meeting with my plastic surgeon a few days before the procedure to talk about what he was going to do.

    Stay strong, focused and busy xxx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.