› Forums › General Melanoma Community › dark spot – toe’s nail.
- This topic has 39 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 3 months ago by
clisc.
- Post
-
- December 6, 2016 at 1:04 pm
hi!Few days ago I noticed small dark spot on my 4th toe's nail.The dark spot is localized probably below the nail or in its structure- I'm not sure.I play football once a week but I do not remember any impact that may caused bruise.I do not know whether the spot is moving as the nail grows. I need more time to analyze it. I'll do photos once a week to notice it.It's possible that the spot is present from few months. I remember that I saw little dark spot but I thought that it was caused by football hit and I ignored this. I do not remember how big was that (maybe the same size or smaller).Here is a link to the photo of this toe.Is it possible to predict on the basis of the photo? What could be the reason? I'm afraid some serius like subungual melanoma. The photos of melanoma over the internet shows advanced stadium so it's hard to compare.What tests should I do? Observation & photos? Dermatoscopy? Bunch biopsy? Radical biopsy (Surgery to remove the nail)?Biopsy is best for sure diagnosis but I'm afraid of Radical biopsy related to pain and complications (this spot may be nothing serious!).Would the punch biopsy be suitable for my case? Should I wait few weeks and see whether or not the spot movina as nail grows.Wouldn't the puch biopsy be noxious in case of melanoma?Which tests should I do first and where to look for help?Is dermatologist will be able to conclude anything on the basis of the inspection?Please help! I have a "small" problem, many questions and no answers.
- Replies
-
-
- December 6, 2016 at 5:29 pm
It doesn't look like a typical melanoma found on a nailbed but your best bet still is to get to a doctor to have this looked at and to establish a baseline as to its appearance and location. You don't need hard trauma to a nail to cause it to discolor, sometimes the shoes you wear can cause it. If anything, go see the doc just for peace of mind and to get the process started.
I had a toenail spot that was followed and this was the procedure that was used — it wasn't very high tech at all: the doctor took measurements and then put scratch marks at the top and bottom of the spot. Then I went home and waited for the nail to grow. The wait period was 6 weeks. In that time period if the spot grew out with the marks it meant it was normal but if it remained in place, then further testing would be needed. My spot grew out so I can't tell you with 100% certainty what the next steps would have been but there was some mention of removing the toenail to get to the skin.
-
- December 6, 2016 at 5:29 pm
It doesn't look like a typical melanoma found on a nailbed but your best bet still is to get to a doctor to have this looked at and to establish a baseline as to its appearance and location. You don't need hard trauma to a nail to cause it to discolor, sometimes the shoes you wear can cause it. If anything, go see the doc just for peace of mind and to get the process started.
I had a toenail spot that was followed and this was the procedure that was used — it wasn't very high tech at all: the doctor took measurements and then put scratch marks at the top and bottom of the spot. Then I went home and waited for the nail to grow. The wait period was 6 weeks. In that time period if the spot grew out with the marks it meant it was normal but if it remained in place, then further testing would be needed. My spot grew out so I can't tell you with 100% certainty what the next steps would have been but there was some mention of removing the toenail to get to the skin.
-
- December 7, 2016 at 9:19 am
LinnyMost of the photos of melanoma located beneath of the nail looks different: stipes or wide darkening including ulcers and nail plate damage.Thaths why my cause may not look like this. But hard to say how initial stage looks like.I will go to the doctor. I will also make photos once a week. -
- December 7, 2016 at 9:19 am
LinnyMost of the photos of melanoma located beneath of the nail looks different: stipes or wide darkening including ulcers and nail plate damage.Thaths why my cause may not look like this. But hard to say how initial stage looks like.I will go to the doctor. I will also make photos once a week. -
- December 7, 2016 at 9:19 am
LinnyMost of the photos of melanoma located beneath of the nail looks different: stipes or wide darkening including ulcers and nail plate damage.Thaths why my cause may not look like this. But hard to say how initial stage looks like.I will go to the doctor. I will also make photos once a week.
-
- December 6, 2016 at 5:29 pm
It doesn't look like a typical melanoma found on a nailbed but your best bet still is to get to a doctor to have this looked at and to establish a baseline as to its appearance and location. You don't need hard trauma to a nail to cause it to discolor, sometimes the shoes you wear can cause it. If anything, go see the doc just for peace of mind and to get the process started.
I had a toenail spot that was followed and this was the procedure that was used — it wasn't very high tech at all: the doctor took measurements and then put scratch marks at the top and bottom of the spot. Then I went home and waited for the nail to grow. The wait period was 6 weeks. In that time period if the spot grew out with the marks it meant it was normal but if it remained in place, then further testing would be needed. My spot grew out so I can't tell you with 100% certainty what the next steps would have been but there was some mention of removing the toenail to get to the skin.
-
- December 6, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Clisc,
I had melanoma under my thumbnail and am currently stage 4. I would work with a melanoma specialist that has significant exposure to subungual melanoma ~50-60 per year. I would then go with whatever they recommend is best for your particular situation.
Good luck. I hope it's nothing except a little agression during sports.
-
- December 7, 2016 at 4:49 pm
Mine is a scary story… it was actualy at the base of my thumbnail, it was a small growth and colorless. My nail began growing out abnormaly, at that point a biopsy was performed and the result was 'no melanoma'. So, one with my happy life. The nail continued to grow out oddly and over the course of a year I went to a few other dermatologist only to have them read the original pathology report and tell me it was nothing of major concern. Almost to the day one year later, I went to my last dermo, he looked at my nail and he didn't like what he saw. He did a shave biopsy right then and a few days later, Melanoma. The original lab, which is one of the best labs in the country, went back to the first biopsy and found that the original had melanoma also. So, the long winded answer to your question is it took a little over a year to dignose my Melanoma.
-
- December 7, 2016 at 10:02 pm
JuanThats very sad that they haven't found crucial pattern at first.The colorless melonoma tumour are probably rare. The conclusion is that it is worth showing sample in two independent laboratories.The other conclusion – if there were some abnomral in nail plate and they haven't found any bacteria or fungal infections – it was suspicious as always must be some reason of abnormal situation. -
- December 7, 2016 at 10:02 pm
JuanThats very sad that they haven't found crucial pattern at first.The colorless melonoma tumour are probably rare. The conclusion is that it is worth showing sample in two independent laboratories.The other conclusion – if there were some abnomral in nail plate and they haven't found any bacteria or fungal infections – it was suspicious as always must be some reason of abnormal situation. -
- December 7, 2016 at 10:02 pm
JuanThats very sad that they haven't found crucial pattern at first.The colorless melonoma tumour are probably rare. The conclusion is that it is worth showing sample in two independent laboratories.The other conclusion – if there were some abnomral in nail plate and they haven't found any bacteria or fungal infections – it was suspicious as always must be some reason of abnormal situation. -
- December 7, 2016 at 4:49 pm
Mine is a scary story… it was actualy at the base of my thumbnail, it was a small growth and colorless. My nail began growing out abnormaly, at that point a biopsy was performed and the result was 'no melanoma'. So, one with my happy life. The nail continued to grow out oddly and over the course of a year I went to a few other dermatologist only to have them read the original pathology report and tell me it was nothing of major concern. Almost to the day one year later, I went to my last dermo, he looked at my nail and he didn't like what he saw. He did a shave biopsy right then and a few days later, Melanoma. The original lab, which is one of the best labs in the country, went back to the first biopsy and found that the original had melanoma also. So, the long winded answer to your question is it took a little over a year to dignose my Melanoma.
-
- December 7, 2016 at 4:49 pm
Mine is a scary story… it was actualy at the base of my thumbnail, it was a small growth and colorless. My nail began growing out abnormaly, at that point a biopsy was performed and the result was 'no melanoma'. So, one with my happy life. The nail continued to grow out oddly and over the course of a year I went to a few other dermatologist only to have them read the original pathology report and tell me it was nothing of major concern. Almost to the day one year later, I went to my last dermo, he looked at my nail and he didn't like what he saw. He did a shave biopsy right then and a few days later, Melanoma. The original lab, which is one of the best labs in the country, went back to the first biopsy and found that the original had melanoma also. So, the long winded answer to your question is it took a little over a year to dignose my Melanoma.
-
- December 6, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Clisc,
I had melanoma under my thumbnail and am currently stage 4. I would work with a melanoma specialist that has significant exposure to subungual melanoma ~50-60 per year. I would then go with whatever they recommend is best for your particular situation.
Good luck. I hope it's nothing except a little agression during sports.
-
- December 6, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Clisc,
I had melanoma under my thumbnail and am currently stage 4. I would work with a melanoma specialist that has significant exposure to subungual melanoma ~50-60 per year. I would then go with whatever they recommend is best for your particular situation.
Good luck. I hope it's nothing except a little agression during sports.
-
- December 7, 2016 at 12:32 am
Typical strategy is observation as another posted indicated. If it grows out, no worries. If it stays in place as the nail grows out, then see a specialist. You can certainly see a specialist now, but they are likely to just want to monitor. Toes easily get bumped/shoved into shoes and it's not that uncommon to have "unexplained" lesions. If you are stressing this, see a doc!
-
- December 7, 2016 at 12:32 am
Typical strategy is observation as another posted indicated. If it grows out, no worries. If it stays in place as the nail grows out, then see a specialist. You can certainly see a specialist now, but they are likely to just want to monitor. Toes easily get bumped/shoved into shoes and it's not that uncommon to have "unexplained" lesions. If you are stressing this, see a doc!
-
- December 7, 2016 at 12:32 am
Typical strategy is observation as another posted indicated. If it grows out, no worries. If it stays in place as the nail grows out, then see a specialist. You can certainly see a specialist now, but they are likely to just want to monitor. Toes easily get bumped/shoved into shoes and it's not that uncommon to have "unexplained" lesions. If you are stressing this, see a doc!
-
- December 7, 2016 at 9:18 am
AnonymousIm afraid because I probably had this few months ago. But unfortunately ignored this. It may be new injury at the same place.I will go to the doctor now, probably I will have to wait for dematologist few weeks So I will have time to monitor and do photos. -
- December 7, 2016 at 9:18 am
AnonymousIm afraid because I probably had this few months ago. But unfortunately ignored this. It may be new injury at the same place.I will go to the doctor now, probably I will have to wait for dematologist few weeks So I will have time to monitor and do photos. -
- December 7, 2016 at 9:18 am
AnonymousIm afraid because I probably had this few months ago. But unfortunately ignored this. It may be new injury at the same place.I will go to the doctor now, probably I will have to wait for dematologist few weeks So I will have time to monitor and do photos. -
- December 9, 2016 at 6:32 am
Hi Clisc,
I had an acral lentiginous melanoma in 2010 which ended up being stage 2A. It was not in my toenail, but rather on the heel of my foot.
Ironically, just before my diagnosis, I actually had a bruised toenail on the same foot. I noticed it the evening after playing in a softball game in which I had run very hard around the bases. I decided to go to the doctor because I thought it was strange…I had run just as hard many times before without such a bruise occurring. The whole nail had turned purplish-black.
To make a long story short, a few weeks later I decided to try to scrape a brown stain off the heel of the same foot with a calous fille and it bled…so I went back to the same doctor, who then sent me to a dermatologist…which led to my MM diagnosis.
Now, after saying all of that…I actually think your nail looks bruised. I can also see some discoloration beyond the bruise which could also be trauma-related. Even though you can't recall anything specifically happening…feet do take an awful lot of abuse. Like you said…you can track it while you wait to be seen by a dermatologist and report your observations to that doctor once you are seen.
Now…not being obolivious like my doctor was…I am ALSO seeing a small oblong brown mark on the same toe (towards the adjacent toe). Can you confirm if there really is a brown spot on that same toe?
Best regards,
Mark -
- December 9, 2016 at 6:32 am
Hi Clisc,
I had an acral lentiginous melanoma in 2010 which ended up being stage 2A. It was not in my toenail, but rather on the heel of my foot.
Ironically, just before my diagnosis, I actually had a bruised toenail on the same foot. I noticed it the evening after playing in a softball game in which I had run very hard around the bases. I decided to go to the doctor because I thought it was strange…I had run just as hard many times before without such a bruise occurring. The whole nail had turned purplish-black.
To make a long story short, a few weeks later I decided to try to scrape a brown stain off the heel of the same foot with a calous fille and it bled…so I went back to the same doctor, who then sent me to a dermatologist…which led to my MM diagnosis.
Now, after saying all of that…I actually think your nail looks bruised. I can also see some discoloration beyond the bruise which could also be trauma-related. Even though you can't recall anything specifically happening…feet do take an awful lot of abuse. Like you said…you can track it while you wait to be seen by a dermatologist and report your observations to that doctor once you are seen.
Now…not being obolivious like my doctor was…I am ALSO seeing a small oblong brown mark on the same toe (towards the adjacent toe). Can you confirm if there really is a brown spot on that same toe?
Best regards,
Mark -
- December 9, 2016 at 11:33 pm
MarkThank you for your comment. Good to heare that you defeated the disease.Any changes located at skin are easier to evaluate.In fact I've been at the doctor, she gave me referral to a dermatologist but she told me that it looks like a bruise.So I hope you both are right 🙂I think its better double check in this case. Appearances may be deceptive.There are not initial stage of subungual melanoma pictures to compare.I will consult it with the dermatologist.I can not see any more spots on this nail. Threre is only one. -
- December 9, 2016 at 11:33 pm
MarkThank you for your comment. Good to heare that you defeated the disease.Any changes located at skin are easier to evaluate.In fact I've been at the doctor, she gave me referral to a dermatologist but she told me that it looks like a bruise.So I hope you both are right 🙂I think its better double check in this case. Appearances may be deceptive.There are not initial stage of subungual melanoma pictures to compare.I will consult it with the dermatologist.I can not see any more spots on this nail. Threre is only one. -
- December 9, 2016 at 11:33 pm
MarkThank you for your comment. Good to heare that you defeated the disease.Any changes located at skin are easier to evaluate.In fact I've been at the doctor, she gave me referral to a dermatologist but she told me that it looks like a bruise.So I hope you both are right 🙂I think its better double check in this case. Appearances may be deceptive.There are not initial stage of subungual melanoma pictures to compare.I will consult it with the dermatologist.I can not see any more spots on this nail. Threre is only one. -
- December 9, 2016 at 6:32 am
Hi Clisc,
I had an acral lentiginous melanoma in 2010 which ended up being stage 2A. It was not in my toenail, but rather on the heel of my foot.
Ironically, just before my diagnosis, I actually had a bruised toenail on the same foot. I noticed it the evening after playing in a softball game in which I had run very hard around the bases. I decided to go to the doctor because I thought it was strange…I had run just as hard many times before without such a bruise occurring. The whole nail had turned purplish-black.
To make a long story short, a few weeks later I decided to try to scrape a brown stain off the heel of the same foot with a calous fille and it bled…so I went back to the same doctor, who then sent me to a dermatologist…which led to my MM diagnosis.
Now, after saying all of that…I actually think your nail looks bruised. I can also see some discoloration beyond the bruise which could also be trauma-related. Even though you can't recall anything specifically happening…feet do take an awful lot of abuse. Like you said…you can track it while you wait to be seen by a dermatologist and report your observations to that doctor once you are seen.
Now…not being obolivious like my doctor was…I am ALSO seeing a small oblong brown mark on the same toe (towards the adjacent toe). Can you confirm if there really is a brown spot on that same toe?
Best regards,
Mark
-
Tagged: acral, cutaneous melanoma
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.