› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Opinions/Experiences On A Toenail Hematoma Biopsy Needed
- This topic has 27 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 8 months ago by
Maureen038.
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- August 8, 2015 at 4:49 am
Six weeks ago a dark spot with pale brown edges appeared on my left big toe nail that covers about 35% of my total nail. I went to my doctor and he suggested that we wait a month and see if it moved at all with the growth of the toenail. After a month went by I didn’t detect any movement of the blemish so I went back to the doctor and he set me up with a dermatologist. The dermatologist looked at it and thinks it’s a hematoma but to be safe she scheduled me for a biopsy. Later that evening I compared close-up photos with a ruler from six weeks ago until now and I have determined that it has moved a little bit with the growth of the toenail. Should I keep the biopsy appointment ? Cancer runs rampant in my family and this blemish appeared for no reason at all. I almost never bruise, I am sure I didn’t injure my toenail, but it is moving with the growth of the nail. It does have various shades of brown and black in it, and a straight vertical edge in the middle of the toenail that doesn’t reach either the cuticle or the tip of the nail. Is this ridiculous to get a biopsy? I’m going to lose my nail in the process. Everything I have learned about this suggests that if the spot moves with the growth of the nail then it isn’t melanoma, but is it gauranteed to be benign just because it moves outward as the nail grows ? The portions I can measure have moved, but I have no way to know if all of it is moving as it is large and irregularly shaped. Thank you for your input!
- Replies
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- August 8, 2015 at 1:56 pm
I think you are going to have to go with a gut feel here. You are right, if it is moving, it is much more likely to be a hematoma. Melanoma usually presents as a single line, not a big spot. That's much more indicative of trauma and the toes are definitely some place you could have that and possibly not remember why. So you also wouldn't expect to have melanoma move. Two general characteristics match hematoma better than melanoma. Are you a darker skinned individual? Again, Acral melanoma (the type found in nail beds) is typically found on darker skinned individuals. So, you can either continue to monitor its growth and postpone the biopsy, or do that now. It's going to be up to you if you can handle the uncertainty of watch and wait or if you need a definitive diagnosis now.
best wishes!
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- August 8, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for your response! I am of Eastern European ancestry with light skin.
I don’t think it’s melanoma. I am concerned because it showed up out of nowhere and I am fairly sure I never hit it. Also, there was never any pain and no external damage to it. The blemish had browns and lighter purples in it, and one small concentrated dark maroon spot and some days the lighter shaded portions look darker than others.
I wasn’t sure if something bad could be there and could have caused a hematoma upon it’s appearance under the nail. I also wasn’t sure if all cancerous cells under a nail would remain stationary, or just a melanoma.
Thanks so much for your thoughts. -
- August 8, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for your response! I am of Eastern European ancestry with light skin.
I don’t think it’s melanoma. I am concerned because it showed up out of nowhere and I am fairly sure I never hit it. Also, there was never any pain and no external damage to it. The blemish had browns and lighter purples in it, and one small concentrated dark maroon spot and some days the lighter shaded portions look darker than others.
I wasn’t sure if something bad could be there and could have caused a hematoma upon it’s appearance under the nail. I also wasn’t sure if all cancerous cells under a nail would remain stationary, or just a melanoma.
Thanks so much for your thoughts. -
- August 8, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Hi,
I hate to disagree with Janner because she is usually right, but for this post I totally disagree. My husband is white and had the same thing on his toe. It was misdiagnosed for three months while going to a very well known dermatologist in DC area and a leading disease specialist. Only after having a biopsy done did we find out it was melanoma. He was stage 3 by then. He is now stage 4. Have the biopsy done!!!!!. Acral melanoma is usually misdiagnosed for a long time and then it can be very serious. Do NOT wait. With a biopsy you will know for sure. If you don't have it and if you wait you could be taking a big chance with your life. Three percent of the white population contract Acral melanoma. I hope I'm wrong, but the only way to know is to have the biopsy. Good luck!
maureen
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- August 8, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Hi,
I hate to disagree with Janner because she is usually right, but for this post I totally disagree. My husband is white and had the same thing on his toe. It was misdiagnosed for three months while going to a very well known dermatologist in DC area and a leading disease specialist. Only after having a biopsy done did we find out it was melanoma. He was stage 3 by then. He is now stage 4. Have the biopsy done!!!!!. Acral melanoma is usually misdiagnosed for a long time and then it can be very serious. Do NOT wait. With a biopsy you will know for sure. If you don't have it and if you wait you could be taking a big chance with your life. Three percent of the white population contract Acral melanoma. I hope I'm wrong, but the only way to know is to have the biopsy. Good luck!
maureen
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- August 8, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Maureen is right, Janner is wrong. Acral is found in all people, white and of color. It is the opposite of what she said that melanoma is rarely found in people of color, but when it is, it can be acral. My daughter in law had acral and she is pale skinned. I wouldn't take a chance on this and get a biopsy.
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- August 8, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Maureen is right, Janner is wrong. Acral is found in all people, white and of color. It is the opposite of what she said that melanoma is rarely found in people of color, but when it is, it can be acral. My daughter in law had acral and she is pale skinned. I wouldn't take a chance on this and get a biopsy.
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- August 8, 2015 at 7:47 pm
Acral melanoma is the most common skin cancer found in people of color and it is considered rare with Caucasians. It is most often found in people in their 60s and 70s. Yes, it can be found in Caucasians but a very small percentage of people compared with other types of melanoma found in Caucasians.
Typically, lesions that grow out and don't affect the nail root are considered benign. She states her lesion is now growing out. That's why the original doc had her wait a month to see if it was growing out. Toenails grow slowly so that makes it hard. I did not tell her NOT to discuss this with her doc or NOT to have a biopsy. I said go with her gut feeling. If I was reluctant to have a biopsy, then I might monitor a little longer to see that it continues to grow out. She's already had it looked at and she should do whatever makers HER feel comfortable, not anyone else.
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- August 8, 2015 at 7:47 pm
Acral melanoma is the most common skin cancer found in people of color and it is considered rare with Caucasians. It is most often found in people in their 60s and 70s. Yes, it can be found in Caucasians but a very small percentage of people compared with other types of melanoma found in Caucasians.
Typically, lesions that grow out and don't affect the nail root are considered benign. She states her lesion is now growing out. That's why the original doc had her wait a month to see if it was growing out. Toenails grow slowly so that makes it hard. I did not tell her NOT to discuss this with her doc or NOT to have a biopsy. I said go with her gut feeling. If I was reluctant to have a biopsy, then I might monitor a little longer to see that it continues to grow out. She's already had it looked at and she should do whatever makers HER feel comfortable, not anyone else.
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- August 8, 2015 at 7:47 pm
Acral melanoma is the most common skin cancer found in people of color and it is considered rare with Caucasians. It is most often found in people in their 60s and 70s. Yes, it can be found in Caucasians but a very small percentage of people compared with other types of melanoma found in Caucasians.
Typically, lesions that grow out and don't affect the nail root are considered benign. She states her lesion is now growing out. That's why the original doc had her wait a month to see if it was growing out. Toenails grow slowly so that makes it hard. I did not tell her NOT to discuss this with her doc or NOT to have a biopsy. I said go with her gut feeling. If I was reluctant to have a biopsy, then I might monitor a little longer to see that it continues to grow out. She's already had it looked at and she should do whatever makers HER feel comfortable, not anyone else.
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- August 8, 2015 at 9:37 pm
I love it when anon's sound off at the world!!!! Please be nice to Janner, she keeps all the newbies from freaking out.
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- August 8, 2015 at 9:37 pm
I love it when anon's sound off at the world!!!! Please be nice to Janner, she keeps all the newbies from freaking out.
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- August 8, 2015 at 9:37 pm
I love it when anon's sound off at the world!!!! Please be nice to Janner, she keeps all the newbies from freaking out.
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- August 8, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Maureen is right, Janner is wrong. Acral is found in all people, white and of color. It is the opposite of what she said that melanoma is rarely found in people of color, but when it is, it can be acral. My daughter in law had acral and she is pale skinned. I wouldn't take a chance on this and get a biopsy.
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- August 8, 2015 at 5:43 pm
Hi,
I hate to disagree with Janner because she is usually right, but for this post I totally disagree. My husband is white and had the same thing on his toe. It was misdiagnosed for three months while going to a very well known dermatologist in DC area and a leading disease specialist. Only after having a biopsy done did we find out it was melanoma. He was stage 3 by then. He is now stage 4. Have the biopsy done!!!!!. Acral melanoma is usually misdiagnosed for a long time and then it can be very serious. Do NOT wait. With a biopsy you will know for sure. If you don't have it and if you wait you could be taking a big chance with your life. Three percent of the white population contract Acral melanoma. I hope I'm wrong, but the only way to know is to have the biopsy. Good luck!
maureen
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- August 9, 2015 at 12:39 am
I forgot to mention I’m 39 and male. There is a new development…..the nail is starting to be lifted from the bed. I haven’t noticed it doing this before today. It is subtle, and so is the occasional ache, but it’s happening. I don’t like it, I’m keeping my biopsy appointment. I’m not scared yet, so please keep any stories flowing, good or bad, and go easy on each other. Janner, thanks, and thanks everyone else. -
- August 9, 2015 at 12:39 am
I forgot to mention I’m 39 and male. There is a new development…..the nail is starting to be lifted from the bed. I haven’t noticed it doing this before today. It is subtle, and so is the occasional ache, but it’s happening. I don’t like it, I’m keeping my biopsy appointment. I’m not scared yet, so please keep any stories flowing, good or bad, and go easy on each other. Janner, thanks, and thanks everyone else. -
- August 9, 2015 at 12:39 am
I forgot to mention I’m 39 and male. There is a new development…..the nail is starting to be lifted from the bed. I haven’t noticed it doing this before today. It is subtle, and so is the occasional ache, but it’s happening. I don’t like it, I’m keeping my biopsy appointment. I’m not scared yet, so please keep any stories flowing, good or bad, and go easy on each other. Janner, thanks, and thanks everyone else. -
- August 10, 2015 at 6:47 pm
My last intention on my post was to pick a fight. I respect your posts a lot Janner. This situation though reminds me so much of my husband's predictament that I had to highly stress getting a biopsy ASAP. My husband was repeatedly told month after two months until after three months we demanded a biopsy. He lost his toenail too. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy. I'm just so happy that you are going to get a biopsy soon. Please let us know the results. I'm sure you wll be fine. Take care.
maureen
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- August 10, 2015 at 6:47 pm
My last intention on my post was to pick a fight. I respect your posts a lot Janner. This situation though reminds me so much of my husband's predictament that I had to highly stress getting a biopsy ASAP. My husband was repeatedly told month after two months until after three months we demanded a biopsy. He lost his toenail too. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy. I'm just so happy that you are going to get a biopsy soon. Please let us know the results. I'm sure you wll be fine. Take care.
maureen
-
- August 10, 2015 at 6:47 pm
My last intention on my post was to pick a fight. I respect your posts a lot Janner. This situation though reminds me so much of my husband's predictament that I had to highly stress getting a biopsy ASAP. My husband was repeatedly told month after two months until after three months we demanded a biopsy. He lost his toenail too. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy. I'm just so happy that you are going to get a biopsy soon. Please let us know the results. I'm sure you wll be fine. Take care.
maureen
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- August 8, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for your response! I am of Eastern European ancestry with light skin.
I don’t think it’s melanoma. I am concerned because it showed up out of nowhere and I am fairly sure I never hit it. Also, there was never any pain and no external damage to it. The blemish had browns and lighter purples in it, and one small concentrated dark maroon spot and some days the lighter shaded portions look darker than others.
I wasn’t sure if something bad could be there and could have caused a hematoma upon it’s appearance under the nail. I also wasn’t sure if all cancerous cells under a nail would remain stationary, or just a melanoma.
Thanks so much for your thoughts.
-
- August 8, 2015 at 1:56 pm
I think you are going to have to go with a gut feel here. You are right, if it is moving, it is much more likely to be a hematoma. Melanoma usually presents as a single line, not a big spot. That's much more indicative of trauma and the toes are definitely some place you could have that and possibly not remember why. So you also wouldn't expect to have melanoma move. Two general characteristics match hematoma better than melanoma. Are you a darker skinned individual? Again, Acral melanoma (the type found in nail beds) is typically found on darker skinned individuals. So, you can either continue to monitor its growth and postpone the biopsy, or do that now. It's going to be up to you if you can handle the uncertainty of watch and wait or if you need a definitive diagnosis now.
best wishes!
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- August 8, 2015 at 1:56 pm
I think you are going to have to go with a gut feel here. You are right, if it is moving, it is much more likely to be a hematoma. Melanoma usually presents as a single line, not a big spot. That's much more indicative of trauma and the toes are definitely some place you could have that and possibly not remember why. So you also wouldn't expect to have melanoma move. Two general characteristics match hematoma better than melanoma. Are you a darker skinned individual? Again, Acral melanoma (the type found in nail beds) is typically found on darker skinned individuals. So, you can either continue to monitor its growth and postpone the biopsy, or do that now. It's going to be up to you if you can handle the uncertainty of watch and wait or if you need a definitive diagnosis now.
best wishes!
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