Nail melanoma

Offline Trudi50 over 5 years ago

Hello. I attended GP surgery 16 months ago with what I thought to be nail fungus on big toe. I saw prescribing nurse who suggested getting clippings tested at lab which we did. They came back negative. I just left it thinking eventually it would just get better. It wasn't troubling me at all. The nail got thicker more yellow and started coming away from nail bed. A month or so ago I noticed a black line horizontally on the cuticle. I referred back to GP and sent photos in. He said he thought it was fungus. I disputed this as I now have black line, albeit horizontal. He changed his mind and did a two week urgent referral and sent my photos with referral. I have appointment next Tuesday but it's with the Plastics consultant not a dermatologist. I thought I'd see a dermatologist first. Any thoughts anyone please?

Offline AngieT over 5 years ago

Hi,
It is unusual but it may be that the photos have been examined by the dermatologist and they have decided to send you straight to the Plastic consultant who will arrange surgical removal of the nail for a biopsy. In some ways it's good because it means less time spent waiting for a dermatologist appointment, then a Plastics appointment.
Good luck next week, hopefully it will turn out to be fine. Please let us know how you get on.
Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)
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Offline tallgirl over 5 years ago

I noticed the same black line on my big toe. The GP thought it was fungus which I treated for a year, but it didn't get better. My doctor wasn't concerned but referred me to a dermatologist. He monitored it for a further 6 months, and it still didn't change. He said he was happy to leave it but my nail could be removed due to having skin cancer previously.

I had the whole nail and nail bed removed, and everything came back all clear.

my nail has grown back, looks a bit weird, but glad I had it removed to be on the safe side
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Offline Trudi50 over 5 years ago in reply to tallgirl

Hello

i have just been for my two week urgent appointment with plastic surgeon. He doesn't think it's melanoma but can only be sure with a biopsy. He said I'll have to wait about four weeks! I queried this and he replied this is standard procedure across the country even if melanoma is suspected. Can't believe it. What's the point of an urgent two week appointment to then have to wait a month for biopsy then wait another month for results... happy he doesn't think it's serious but not happy re the wait....
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