Cancer Research UK main site

Potential subungual melanoma - help

SH1562
Offline

Hello, 

This is my first time posting and would really appreciate any support or experience. 
 

I noticed a straight black line on one fingernail that hasn't gone for months and grows with the nail. I have been referred to a dermatologist this Wednesday to inspect further. 
 

I stupidly have been googling and now I'm terrified that I could have subungual melanoma and that it could have spread. I'm so scared and have wound myself up before the appointment before I even know results.

 

Has anyone had this before? Are the tests painful? How are you doing now? 
 

Thanks so much in advance, I would hugely appreciate any info from someone who has been in a similar situation. x 

  • Offline

    Hi SH1562,

     

    I am sorry to hear about your concerns. I haven't had experience of a subungal melanoma, but I have recently been diagnosed with a stage 1A melanoma. I had a biopsy done where they removed the mole with a small margin. Then when the results confirmed a melanoma, this was followed by a wide local excision. 
     

    Mine was on the back of my arm, and all I can say is that the initial removal only caused minimal discomfort. The surgeon uses a lot of local anaesthetic so you can't feel anything after the initial discomfort of the needles. I was back at work the next day. 
     

    I obviously don't know the procedure when it is under a nail, but the surgeons are amazing. Please try not to worry too much. My dermatologist could tell instantly at the first appointment that it was a type of cancer, just by examining it, so they will hopefully be able to give you an idea at your first appointment, and hopefully even tell you it's nothing to worry about. 

    I hope it all goes well. x

  • Offline in reply to pinklady1979

    Thanks so much for your message, I need to try and stop the panic before I even have any answers. I definitely feel better about the initial appointment so thank you very much.

     

    Wish you all of the best with your treatment x 

  • Offline in reply to SH1562

    Thank you. It's hard not to panic, but even if it does turn out to be a melanoma, it's sounds like you've caught it early, which is good news. Early diagnosis leads to far better prognosis. I'd had my mole for nearly a year before it got checked, but this was still classed as early diagnosis. If my next set of results are clear, that will be all the treatment I need, just with 3 monthly checks for a year, so treatment has been minimal really! All the best x

  • Offline in reply to pinklady1979

    That's so reassuring thank you I was beating myself up because I had to postpone it a week due to a holiday! 
     

    Praying that the next set of results are all clear for you all the best to you too x 

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.