Subungual Melanoma questions and help

I too am in the same situation. My husband has a melanoychia on the thumb and they did the biopsy is the mosh office of the dermatologist. They were so matter of fact. We don’t know if it’s cancer or not. Been waiting 2 weeks for results when they said about a week. I’m a nervous wreck. Can’t eat or sleep. I keep reading how bad it could be.
Anxiety is consuming me. I don’t know how you can handle another one after waiting and now husband has another in middl digit. of other hand.

Hi Lyric,

I had a similar condition, but not under a nail, and not on my hand…it was on my heel. Like you, I mistook the brown streak on my body to be nothing. I thought I had stepped on some grease in my garage. Unfortunately by the time I realized it was something sinister, it had progressed to a stage 2A level. I have since been treated and have been NED for over four years (no evidence of disease).

I wasn't able to open the photo links from my iPad, but what you have described sounds very, VERY suspicious. You need to be your best advocate…meaning that you need to push your healthcare providers for the fastest and most effective diagnostic and treatment efforts that they can provide. 

While you are going through this…try to focus on the positive. It doesn't do any good to think of "what if" scenarios. That just gets your stress level up, which doesn't help your body's natural healing capability.

If you do have malignant melanoma, it is survivable, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to be treated as early as possible. Time can be your best friend or your worst enemy…when it comes to the big C. 

I wish you all the best!

Keep us posted on your progress.

Take care,

Mark from California

Check out ny posts. My husband was diagnosed with subungal melanoma. He waited way too long for diagnosis so I am glad you are taking charge now. We are in California also

Check out ny posts. My husband was diagnosed with subungal melanoma. He waited way too long for diagnosis so I am glad you are taking charge now. We are in California also

Check out ny posts. My husband was diagnosed with subungal melanoma. He waited way too long for diagnosis so I am glad you are taking charge now. We are in California also

Hi Lyric,

I had a similar condition, but not under a nail, and not on my hand…it was on my heel. Like you, I mistook the brown streak on my body to be nothing. I thought I had stepped on some grease in my garage. Unfortunately by the time I realized it was something sinister, it had progressed to a stage 2A level. I have since been treated and have been NED for over four years (no evidence of disease).

I wasn't able to open the photo links from my iPad, but what you have described sounds very, VERY suspicious. You need to be your best advocate…meaning that you need to push your healthcare providers for the fastest and most effective diagnostic and treatment efforts that they can provide. 

While you are going through this…try to focus on the positive. It doesn't do any good to think of "what if" scenarios. That just gets your stress level up, which doesn't help your body's natural healing capability.

If you do have malignant melanoma, it is survivable, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to be treated as early as possible. Time can be your best friend or your worst enemy…when it comes to the big C. 

I wish you all the best!

Keep us posted on your progress.

Take care,

Mark from California

Hi Lyric,

I had a similar condition, but not under a nail, and not on my hand…it was on my heel. Like you, I mistook the brown streak on my body to be nothing. I thought I had stepped on some grease in my garage. Unfortunately by the time I realized it was something sinister, it had progressed to a stage 2A level. I have since been treated and have been NED for over four years (no evidence of disease).

I wasn't able to open the photo links from my iPad, but what you have described sounds very, VERY suspicious. You need to be your best advocate…meaning that you need to push your healthcare providers for the fastest and most effective diagnostic and treatment efforts that they can provide. 

While you are going through this…try to focus on the positive. It doesn't do any good to think of "what if" scenarios. That just gets your stress level up, which doesn't help your body's natural healing capability.

If you do have malignant melanoma, it is survivable, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to be treated as early as possible. Time can be your best friend or your worst enemy…when it comes to the big C. 

I wish you all the best!

Keep us posted on your progress.

Take care,

Mark from California

I've had this line on my left hand's thumb for years and it has never changed, might have gotten a bit darker if anything. But now MY BIG TOE HAS SOMETHING TOO and I'm concerned!  

Should I get it look at? Thx so much 

Pictures here: 

 

https://flic.kr/p/TVkF4u

I've had this line on my left hand's thumb for years and it has never changed, might have gotten a bit darker if anything. But now MY BIG TOE HAS SOMETHING TOO and I'm concerned!  

Should I get it look at? Thx so much 

Pictures here: 

 

https://flic.kr/p/TVkF4u

i have been essentially stable on Gleevec a c-kit targeted chemo for over 5 years now and I went to the Stage Iv level in Feb 2007 after being mis-diagnosed by my GP
 for 3 1/2 years.

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10642684

The most salient features of subungual melanoma can be summarized according to the newly devised criteria that may be categorized under the first letters of the alphabet, namely ABCDEF of subungual melanoma. In this system A stands for a ge (peak incidence being in the 5th to 7th decades of life and African Americans, Asians, and native Americans in whom subungual melanoma accounts for up to one third of all melanoma cases. B stands for brown to black b and with breadth of 3 mm or more and variegated borders. C stands for change in the nail band or lack of change in the nail morphology despite, presumably, adequate treatment. D stands for the digit most commonly involved; E stands for extension of the pigment onto the proximal and/or lateral nailfold (ie, Hutchinson's sign); and F stands for family or personal history of dysplastic nevus or melanoma.

CONCLUSION:

Although each letter of the alphabet of subungual melanoma is important, one must use all the letters together to improve early detection and thus survival of subungual melanoma. Still, as with cutaneous melanoma, the absolute diagnosis of subungual melanoma is made by means of a biopsy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10642684

The most salient features of subungual melanoma can be summarized according to the newly devised criteria that may be categorized under the first letters of the alphabet, namely ABCDEF of subungual melanoma. In this system A stands for a ge (peak incidence being in the 5th to 7th decades of life and African Americans, Asians, and native Americans in whom subungual melanoma accounts for up to one third of all melanoma cases. B stands for brown to black b and with breadth of 3 mm or more and variegated borders. C stands for change in the nail band or lack of change in the nail morphology despite, presumably, adequate treatment. D stands for the digit most commonly involved; E stands for extension of the pigment onto the proximal and/or lateral nailfold (ie, Hutchinson's sign); and F stands for family or personal history of dysplastic nevus or melanoma.

CONCLUSION:

Although each letter of the alphabet of subungual melanoma is important, one must use all the letters together to improve early detection and thus survival of subungual melanoma. Still, as with cutaneous melanoma, the absolute diagnosis of subungual melanoma is made by means of a biopsy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10642684

The most salient features of subungual melanoma can be summarized according to the newly devised criteria that may be categorized under the first letters of the alphabet, namely ABCDEF of subungual melanoma. In this system A stands for a ge (peak incidence being in the 5th to 7th decades of life and African Americans, Asians, and native Americans in whom subungual melanoma accounts for up to one third of all melanoma cases. B stands for brown to black b and with breadth of 3 mm or more and variegated borders. C stands for change in the nail band or lack of change in the nail morphology despite, presumably, adequate treatment. D stands for the digit most commonly involved; E stands for extension of the pigment onto the proximal and/or lateral nailfold (ie, Hutchinson's sign); and F stands for family or personal history of dysplastic nevus or melanoma.

CONCLUSION:

Although each letter of the alphabet of subungual melanoma is important, one must use all the letters together to improve early detection and thus survival of subungual melanoma. Still, as with cutaneous melanoma, the absolute diagnosis of subungual melanoma is made by means of a biopsy.

i have been essentially stable on Gleevec a c-kit targeted chemo for over 5 years now and I went to the Stage Iv level in Feb 2007 after being mis-diagnosed by my GP
 for 3 1/2 years.

 

i have been essentially stable on Gleevec a c-kit targeted chemo for over 5 years now and I went to the Stage Iv level in Feb 2007 after being mis-diagnosed by my GP
 for 3 1/2 years.

 

 

 

My husband waited to go to the doctor for at least six months while his thumb was totally inflamed, bleeding, and painful. He is very stubborn. Part of the delay was that he had hit his thumb with a hammer( something he had done numerous times over the years). So I am glad you are taking care of it now. He does not have actual melanoma, but has a non description melanoma. He is braf  and c kit negative. I agree that you should advocate for an earlier biopsy and try to get to a melanoma specialist no matter what the path results are. Good luck and keep us posted. 

My husband waited to go to the doctor for at least six months while his thumb was totally inflamed, bleeding, and painful. He is very stubborn. Part of the delay was that he had hit his thumb with a hammer( something he had done numerous times over the years). So I am glad you are taking care of it now. He does not have actual melanoma, but has a non description melanoma. He is braf  and c kit negative. I agree that you should advocate for an earlier biopsy and try to get to a melanoma specialist no matter what the path results are. Good luck and keep us posted. 

My husband waited to go to the doctor for at least six months while his thumb was totally inflamed, bleeding, and painful. He is very stubborn. Part of the delay was that he had hit his thumb with a hammer( something he had done numerous times over the years). So I am glad you are taking care of it now. He does not have actual melanoma, but has a non description melanoma. He is braf  and c kit negative. I agree that you should advocate for an earlier biopsy and try to get to a melanoma specialist no matter what the path results are. Good luck and keep us posted. 

 

 

 

 

I think you just have to wait to talk to the derm.  He will be better at giving you the details than we can.  He's probably talked with the pathologist.   Getting a larger sample doesn't mean much except they are taking precautions. 

I think you just have to wait to talk to the derm.  He will be better at giving you the details than we can.  He's probably talked with the pathologist.   Getting a larger sample doesn't mean much except they are taking precautions. 

I think you just have to wait to talk to the derm.  He will be better at giving you the details than we can.  He's probably talked with the pathologist.   Getting a larger sample doesn't mean much except they are taking precautions. 

Hi Lyric,

I am so glad for you that they could get this done for you so quickly. Either way it turns out, this puts you on a faster path to getting you back to living your life to the fullest. 

You are very brave…how you faced this procedure…you can certainly handle anything that comes your way.

Best of luck for the most positive outcome!

Mark from California

Hi Lyric, Can you please tell me your results

 

Hi Lyric, Can you please tell me your results

 

Hi Lyric, Can you please tell me your results

 

Hi Lyric! How were the results? Also curious as to how many days you were in pain after the second procedure? Did they remove the majority of the mole? 

 

Thanks! Tina

Hi Lyric! How were the results? Also curious as to how many days you were in pain after the second procedure? Did they remove the majority of the mole? 

 

Thanks! Tina

Hi Lyric! How were the results? Also curious as to how many days you were in pain after the second procedure? Did they remove the majority of the mole? 

 

Thanks! Tina

Hi Lyric,

I'm at the very beginning of the same story as yours, but I am in the UK, at the mercy of the British National Health Service. I do hope your progress was good. It's about a year ago the last time you posted, you were waiting for the results of the deeper biopsy. What happened then? I'd really like to know. (And Lyric is a lovely name btw)

I'm about to see the Consultant today, and as you can imagine, I'm worried!

Hi Lyric,

I'm at the very beginning of the same story as yours, but I am in the UK, at the mercy of the British National Health Service. I do hope your progress was good. It's about a year ago the last time you posted, you were waiting for the results of the deeper biopsy. What happened then? I'd really like to know. (And Lyric is a lovely name btw)

I'm about to see the Consultant today, and as you can imagine, I'm worried!

Hi Lyric,

I'm at the very beginning of the same story as yours, but I am in the UK, at the mercy of the British National Health Service. I do hope your progress was good. It's about a year ago the last time you posted, you were waiting for the results of the deeper biopsy. What happened then? I'd really like to know. (And Lyric is a lovely name btw)

I'm about to see the Consultant today, and as you can imagine, I'm worried!

Hi Lyric,

I am so glad for you that they could get this done for you so quickly. Either way it turns out, this puts you on a faster path to getting you back to living your life to the fullest. 

You are very brave…how you faced this procedure…you can certainly handle anything that comes your way.

Best of luck for the most positive outcome!

Mark from California

Hi Lyric,

I am so glad for you that they could get this done for you so quickly. Either way it turns out, this puts you on a faster path to getting you back to living your life to the fullest. 

You are very brave…how you faced this procedure…you can certainly handle anything that comes your way.

Best of luck for the most positive outcome!

Mark from California

Hi, 

I had a dark line on my great toe nail for about 5 years and noticed it got bigger but never thought much about it. One day I saw a commercial about an upcoming news segment on a local news channel about dark lines in nails and I thought… Hey I have one of those. I didn't watch the segment but instead googled it and found lesions that looks just like mine and I further read that it could be melanoma. I saw my local derm and she was extremely concerned and said I should of had it biospsied like yesterday! So I had the nail bed and plate biopsied and got the results 5 days later that revealed nothing. But the pathology report said if the area returned they recommended a biopsy deeper into the nail matrix. Initial biopsy was in September and by December you could distinctly tell it was coming back so they repeated the biopsy(January), this time deeper into the nail matrix. After 2 weeks of waiting, my derm called and said my biopsy was abnormal and revealed melanoma in situ. She referred me to a MOHs surgeon for excision. The MOHs specialist stated that the biopsy confirmed I did have early stage melanoma and he performed a MOHs procedures removing the area of concern and my entire nail unit, nail bed, and nail matrix and surrounding tissue. My toe was reconstructed with a skin graft from my upper thigh. Today is exactly one month since my surgery. My GP wants me to still have a PET Scan which was just ordered and authorized. Kinda scary stuff, they said mine was early stages but I had the spot for years. Don't ignore yours and don't be afraid to get a second opinion! Good luck and God Bless! 

I'm 75 years old Asian lady.  I just noticed  a black line on my right thumb!  According to what I read , I'm in a high risk group for Subungual Melanoma!  The line is not that dark and less than 3mm, maybe 1.5 mm.  I don't remember when I first noticed it, may be a month or longer!  Should I have it check or just keep an eye on it see if it get darker and wider!  I'm quite concerned but try to tell myself it's just nail discoloration!  I need help, please tell me what I should do!  Thanks a million!  EW

Hi lyrical can you tell us how you are doing ? How did the tests come back ? I'm in the same situation just found a brown stripe on my big toe nail and I'm really worried. I'd rather lose my toe than not be around for my kids. Please let us know how you got on. Thanks sindy 

Hi Lyric- I too would like to know if things worked out. I actually created an account specially to reach out to you.. Have the same thing .. recently went to the derm , but he was very dismissive..I thinking of getting a second op… Please let us know ..Thank you soo much

Hi Lyric- I too would like to know if things worked out. I actually created an account specially to reach out to you.. Have the same thing .. recently went to the derm , but he was very dismissive..I thinking of getting a second op… Please let us know ..Thank you soo much

Hi Lyric- I too would like to know if things worked out. I actually created an account specially to reach out to you.. Have the same thing .. recently went to the derm , but he was very dismissive..I thinking of getting a second op… Please let us know ..Thank you soo much

Hi lyrical can you tell us how you are doing ? How did the tests come back ? I'm in the same situation just found a brown stripe on my big toe nail and I'm really worried. I'd rather lose my toe than not be around for my kids. Please let us know how you got on. Thanks sindy 

Hi lyrical can you tell us how you are doing ? How did the tests come back ? I'm in the same situation just found a brown stripe on my big toe nail and I'm really worried. I'd rather lose my toe than not be around for my kids. Please let us know how you got on. Thanks sindy 

I'm 75 years old Asian lady.  I just noticed  a black line on my right thumb!  According to what I read , I'm in a high risk group for Subungual Melanoma!  The line is not that dark and less than 3mm, maybe 1.5 mm.  I don't remember when I first noticed it, may be a month or longer!  Should I have it check or just keep an eye on it see if it get darker and wider!  I'm quite concerned but try to tell myself it's just nail discoloration!  I need help, please tell me what I should do!  Thanks a million!  EW

I'm 75 years old Asian lady.  I just noticed  a black line on my right thumb!  According to what I read , I'm in a high risk group for Subungual Melanoma!  The line is not that dark and less than 3mm, maybe 1.5 mm.  I don't remember when I first noticed it, may be a month or longer!  Should I have it check or just keep an eye on it see if it get darker and wider!  I'm quite concerned but try to tell myself it's just nail discoloration!  I need help, please tell me what I should do!  Thanks a million!  EW

Hi, 

I had a dark line on my great toe nail for about 5 years and noticed it got bigger but never thought much about it. One day I saw a commercial about an upcoming news segment on a local news channel about dark lines in nails and I thought… Hey I have one of those. I didn't watch the segment but instead googled it and found lesions that looks just like mine and I further read that it could be melanoma. I saw my local derm and she was extremely concerned and said I should of had it biospsied like yesterday! So I had the nail bed and plate biopsied and got the results 5 days later that revealed nothing. But the pathology report said if the area returned they recommended a biopsy deeper into the nail matrix. Initial biopsy was in September and by December you could distinctly tell it was coming back so they repeated the biopsy(January), this time deeper into the nail matrix. After 2 weeks of waiting, my derm called and said my biopsy was abnormal and revealed melanoma in situ. She referred me to a MOHs surgeon for excision. The MOHs specialist stated that the biopsy confirmed I did have early stage melanoma and he performed a MOHs procedures removing the area of concern and my entire nail unit, nail bed, and nail matrix and surrounding tissue. My toe was reconstructed with a skin graft from my upper thigh. Today is exactly one month since my surgery. My GP wants me to still have a PET Scan which was just ordered and authorized. Kinda scary stuff, they said mine was early stages but I had the spot for years. Don't ignore yours and don't be afraid to get a second opinion! Good luck and God Bless! 

Hi, 

I had a dark line on my great toe nail for about 5 years and noticed it got bigger but never thought much about it. One day I saw a commercial about an upcoming news segment on a local news channel about dark lines in nails and I thought… Hey I have one of those. I didn't watch the segment but instead googled it and found lesions that looks just like mine and I further read that it could be melanoma. I saw my local derm and she was extremely concerned and said I should of had it biospsied like yesterday! So I had the nail bed and plate biopsied and got the results 5 days later that revealed nothing. But the pathology report said if the area returned they recommended a biopsy deeper into the nail matrix. Initial biopsy was in September and by December you could distinctly tell it was coming back so they repeated the biopsy(January), this time deeper into the nail matrix. After 2 weeks of waiting, my derm called and said my biopsy was abnormal and revealed melanoma in situ. She referred me to a MOHs surgeon for excision. The MOHs specialist stated that the biopsy confirmed I did have early stage melanoma and he performed a MOHs procedures removing the area of concern and my entire nail unit, nail bed, and nail matrix and surrounding tissue. My toe was reconstructed with a skin graft from my upper thigh. Today is exactly one month since my surgery. My GP wants me to still have a PET Scan which was just ordered and authorized. Kinda scary stuff, they said mine was early stages but I had the spot for years. Don't ignore yours and don't be afraid to get a second opinion! Good luck and God Bless! 

Hello Lyric and all others! I’m a 33 year old African American Female and I have not been diagnosed with Subungual Melanoma but I have had this light brown band under 3 mm on the left hand ring finger for years now! I have to say about close to almost 10 years. And I’ve never thought anything about it. It hasn’t changed in size and isn’t painful. About 2 years ago while I was getting a manicure, the nail technician said that the band could be some sort of underlying health issue. I asked my doctor at my next annual and was told it was probably nothing and to not worry about it unless something changes in size, color and if pain persists. Nothing has changed since then til now. I don’t remember having any sort of trauma but have had biopsies done 2 years ago for a non related issues. Just yesterday I noticed a post from a doctor on Instagram about Subungual Melanoma and the pictures of the different color bands on the nails and toes. I thought to myself, “Hey I have one on my finger”! And decided to research online about it. Which brought me to this website. I’ve read the comments/stories and decided to create an account and become apart of the community. Prior to seeing the post on Instagram I’ve never heard of anyone having this Condition or anything until now. Should I go ahead and start the process of getting a biopsy done to see whether I’m benign or not? By the way I don’t have any family history of cancer except for my paternal grandfather who was diagnosed and passed away in 1999 from prostate cancer.

Hi Lyric17 and everyone,

Hi Lyric17 and everyone,

Hi Lyric17 and everyone,

Hello Lyric and all others! I’m a 33 year old African American Female and I have not been diagnosed with Subungual Melanoma but I have had this light brown band under 3 mm on the left hand ring finger for years now! I have to say about close to almost 10 years. And I’ve never thought anything about it. It hasn’t changed in size and isn’t painful. About 2 years ago while I was getting a manicure, the nail technician said that the band could be some sort of underlying health issue. I asked my doctor at my next annual and was told it was probably nothing and to not worry about it unless something changes in size, color and if pain persists. Nothing has changed since then til now. I don’t remember having any sort of trauma but have had biopsies done 2 years ago for a non related issues. Just yesterday I noticed a post from a doctor on Instagram about Subungual Melanoma and the pictures of the different color bands on the nails and toes. I thought to myself, “Hey I have one on my finger”! And decided to research online about it. Which brought me to this website. I’ve read the comments/stories and decided to create an account and become apart of the community. Prior to seeing the post on Instagram I’ve never heard of anyone having this Condition or anything until now. Should I go ahead and start the process of getting a biopsy done to see whether I’m benign or not? By the way I don’t have any family history of cancer except for my paternal grandfather who was diagnosed and passed away in 1999 from prostate cancer.

Hello Lyric and all others! I’m a 33 year old African American Female and I have not been diagnosed with Subungual Melanoma but I have had this light brown band under 3 mm on the left hand ring finger for years now! I have to say about close to almost 10 years. And I’ve never thought anything about it. It hasn’t changed in size and isn’t painful. About 2 years ago while I was getting a manicure, the nail technician said that the band could be some sort of underlying health issue. I asked my doctor at my next annual and was told it was probably nothing and to not worry about it unless something changes in size, color and if pain persists. Nothing has changed since then til now. I don’t remember having any sort of trauma but have had biopsies done 2 years ago for a non related issues. Just yesterday I noticed a post from a doctor on Instagram about Subungual Melanoma and the pictures of the different color bands on the nails and toes. I thought to myself, “Hey I have one on my finger”! And decided to research online about it. Which brought me to this website. I’ve read the comments/stories and decided to create an account and become apart of the community. Prior to seeing the post on Instagram I’ve never heard of anyone having this Condition or anything until now. Should I go ahead and start the process of getting a biopsy done to see whether I’m benign or not? By the way I don’t have any family history of cancer except for my paternal grandfather who was diagnosed and passed away in 1999 from prostate cancer.