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Subungual melanoma

RaeRaeH
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Hi, I posted a few weeks ago but I'm not the most technologically minded and as far as I can tell, I haven't had a response! I have had a vertical grey line in my thumbnail for about a year. After 6 months I decided to google and came across nail melanoma. Due to covid I only had my Dermatologist appointment 3 weeks ago and am now booked in for a biopsy on the 29th. Just wondering if anyone here got a benign result or how they are coping with a malignant result! I am a single parent and registered carer for my 10yr son who has Autism and ADHD and just need as much info as possible to forewarn my little boy so he's not too freaked out after the nail removal etc. Any stories and advice will be gratefully received x 

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    Hi I have had a fungal infection for years but about 2 weeks ago I developed a bruise on my big toe shaped like a eye went to my docs today who said I could be Melonoma but he thought it was a bruise but I have had no injury that I can recall it doesn't look like any of the pictures in the internet but it's not stopped me worrying and i am thinking can a fungal infection turn into melonoma I have to go back to my gp in four weeks but I am thinking of going private with a dermatologist the bruise on my toe is a the bottom of the big toe has anybody experienced anything similar 

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    Hi RaeRae and Robo,

    I'm sorry you are both waiting to be seen by a dermatologist or to be referred to one. I haven't had subungal melanoma (mine is on the skin) but I know a few people who have. There are also a few posts on here by others who have had biopsies for sm - if you search 'subungal' in the Search Forum bar at the top of this page you will find these posts. I know of one member, Ricky, who may be able to help you if you can find his post.

    SM is quite rare and only accounts for 1% of melanoma patients so hopefully you will both be fine. This link is from a medical journal but it explains how nail biopsies are carried out so it may help you RaeRae www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../

    Robo, a fungal infection can't turn into melanoma but I think it still adviseable that you get it checked out by a dermatologist, just in case two things are going on under the nail at the same time. If you aren't happy at waiting 4 weeks you have two options - either see a different GP at your practice to get a second opinion or pay for a consultation with a private dermatologist. I hope you get it checked out as quickly as you can for your piece of mind.

    Good luck to both of you and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

     

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Morning Angie, thanks so much, will have a look at the link now! Xx

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