Melanoma

[Froomp]

I was sent to a dermatologist yesterday, about a black line under my toe nail. I expected him to send me on my way reassured it was just one of those things. Instead he has told me I need a biopsy and will get the appointment in the next week or so (cue panic).
The line has been under my toe nail for at least 8/9 months. If this is Melanoma is this going to be too late for effective treatment?
And has anyone had a biopsy and it turned out not to be cancer? The dermatologist said looking at it he was sure it wasn’t blood, which rules out trauma so what else could it be?
I’m in a real state and don’t know how to talk myself down.

Fluffythefish yes it’s the waiting that’s awful. I think I will be happier when I know for sure, even if it is Melanoma. Little things have put me on edge, like the Consultant putting his Secretary’s phone number in my phone. That’s never happened before and I’m convinced because it’s bad news. I’m overanalysing everything.

I know the average time to seek treatment for subungual melanoma is 2 years but does anyone know how long it takes that form of melanoma to start spreading?

It is really hard to give any idea as everyone is different.

But you can't change what has happened and at least you are on the right track now and therefore you have the best chance.

Please try and keep positive.

Also, and I know it’s difficult, try not to google and scare yourself. I googled and drove myself crazy with figures mentioned of 5% survival rate ( because of where it was, but those statistics were a bit out of date). So, even though it was malignant melanoma and even though it was in a “bad” place, it was actually treatable just with surgery. I’m about to send my DH back again to have something else looked at, so we’re going through it all again for a third time.

I’m due to start a long fought for promotion next week, and I have a very important exam on the Tuesday. I should be excited/ revising hard and instead I’m just left feeling like what’s the point. I know that’s not the most helpful attitude ever. Thank you for all your help and advice, it’s really helped.

Sorry you’re having such a stressful time OP. I hope you get some answers soon.

Thanks LarkDescending it’s been a really shitty week and it’s uncovered gaping holes in my mental health. I can’t cope with the idea of a possible cancer diagnosis. God knows how I will cope with an actual oh fuck it’s happening to me diagnosis, if it comes to it.

Hang in there OP. Keep posting here and maybe think about popping into the Lacies threads -here’s the newest one - which are full of hugely supportive people who know just how stressful the waiting and wondering about possible cancer investigations is

@Froomp if it is just on your nail and hasn't grown in 8 months, there are no other symptoms, that's a good sign. It might not even be melanoma. Eight months is an early diagnosis. Don't put your life on hold for something that is probably fine. Good luck with the exam on Tuesday!

OP I have a black line on my toenail, I was referred to dermatology. I was clear and told it's from trauma. I now go annually for a check up of that and various moles. Five years later, the line is still there but consultant says i must have permanently damaged the nailbed. I hope you get good news.

I just wanted to comment as I filled out the online consultation form on Friday as I have a line on my nail and literally read that this could be a cancer sign this week. I am waiting to hear back from the GP on Monday. My line is more light brown but haven't had any trauma. Please keep us updated and I am thinking of you.

I have previously had urgent referrals for breast lumps (twice) but I understood if they think there was any chance of it being cancer they refer you fast (my breast lumps were both cysts thankfully).

I’ve had about 20 moles removed. Only one was melanoma, and it looked nothing like the textbooks - mine was predominantly white. I have a strong family history of melanoma and have 6 monthly checks. It’s killed my grandmother, three of my mother’s siblings and my cousin. My mother has had several removed, ranging from stage 1 to stage 3.

RachelEllenR my line is thicker and very dark (almost black). It hasn’t grown but nor has it shown any sign of growing out in months and months. My GP initially wasn’t concerned until I pushed for a referral. The Dermatologist said I should have been referred straight away under a USC (Urgent Suspected Cancer) so you may have to push the GP. Hopefully we will both be worrying for nothing and be completely fine.

Are you very dark skinned / black (African origin) / mixed race? If so this could be normal especially as it hasn’t grown. Even if it is cancer - as it hasn’t grown there’s every chance it’s localised; and localised melanomas have a survival right over 90 percent. So don’t worry

I’m an Aussie and we are all pretty paranoid about skin cancers. Yes, it could be melanoma, but there are also lots of other things it could also be.... The waiting is awful. Have you looked at the risk factors? You live in the UK... pretty low risk as less direct sunshine, etc. However, one can hardly apply SPF under one’s finger/toenails.... Have you spent a lot of time sunbathing? More importantly, in sunbeds? Did you use gel or shellac nail varnish and spend a lot of time with your toes or fingers under UV lights? These are supposed to be pretty harmful. You need to mention this to your dermatologist if you haven’t been asked. Do you have a family history of melanoma? There is a genetic predisposition for melanoma (in my family too). Sometimes knocking these OFF your list might make you calmer while you’re waiting. Also, in the last year or so, targeted immunotherapy has increased the success of treatment for melanoma, so the statistics are a little outdated.

Even if it is the worst news, it will be treatable and will be sorted.
This waiting though must be awful. Easier said than done but do try and take your mind off it, after all it won't change the eventual outcome.

Fingers crossed for reassuring news soon- do you know when that's likely to be?

The doctors seemed pretty unfazed by it all and said pretty much all types of skin cancer are treatable, even the more aggressive ones.

With respect, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma are at opposite ends of the scale. I say this as a former oncology nurse.

I’m in my mid 20s and white. I hate the sun and have never had UV nail applications. I guess it’s just a waiting game.

My dad had a thing on his head that he’d been meaning to get checked out, but didn’t. 18 months later, the family GP noticed it while my dad was in the waiting room for an appt for my mother. Urgent referral. Very lucky!!

Turned out to be Stage 4 melanoma, plus another Stage 1 on his upper back. They didn’t give him great odds but they cut out what they could (80 or so stitches on his head alone) and five years later, no sign of any cancer. The spot had likely been there much longer than 18 months, but he just hadn’t noticed it. Very hard to do, but try to avoid really negative thoughts. If it is melanoma, it will hopefully be treatable since it hasn’t been too long.

This must be a worrying time for you OP. I have a reassuring story for you - My uncle (who is 61) has had an odd looking lesion on his ear for the best part of 11 months. His Gp kept giving him antibiotics and sending him away. He showed it to me and although it didn't look like a typical melanoma at all he clearly had a lesion that wasn't healing. I encouraged him to insist on a referral which he did.
He has had a biopsy and it turned out it was a melanoma. We were all very worried as it has been there (and changing, getting bigger) for nearly a year. He has now had it removed and has had a special scan of his lymph nodes and been given the all clear and it hasn't spread. So even if it is the worst news it doesn't necessarily mean the worst for you. The main thing is you have taken action and are getting it biopsied now.
It's easy to say but try not to let your imagination run away with you, stay off google and try not to speculate.

Uuummmm and Ellapaella thank you for your stories of melanoma that where successfully treated after waiting a while to get them seen. It really helps and I’m pleased your loved ones are doing well.

I’ve had my head in a revision book all morning. Less of the well-I’m-going-to-die-so-I-would-rather-forget-the-whole-thing-and-spend-time-with-my-children attitude.

Another one with a positive melanoma story. Dm diagnosed at late 40s, fairly early removed etc

20 years later She had a mole right next to the original site start to go manky. I spotted it one summer when she was on the beach, she said not to fuss. 18 months later my dad nagged her into getting it looked at at long last and it was a reoccurrence of her melanoma.

Despite dicking around for 2 years, it was stage 1, hadn't spread and was removed in a 1 hour day surgery. She's in 3 monthly checks but otherwise fine.

Fingers crossed it's nothing though.

Thanks Gamorasgran I think the thing is the consultant seemed fairly clear it was going to be melanoma. So I’m resigned now to it being that. If it’s not then that’s a bonus.

Hearing stories of other people leaving melanoma for a while and being fine in the end is what I’m drawing comfort from at the moment. I’m glad your mum is okay.

@Froomp it's a worrying time. I am finding the positive stories reassuring too.

Be pleased that you are getting the biopsy so quickly. I know that it’s scary, but a lot of people leave these things until it’s too late - either assuming it will go away or it’s nothing. Sometimes it’s a splintered bleed from damage under the nail bed and it really is nothing to worry about, but often people have left it for far too long and it’s untreatable. I’m really proud of you for not minimizing this and advocating for your health, OP. Sometimes you have to push GPs to get the initial referral to the consultant in the first place!!!

Just wanted to add a message of support OP. I’m keeping everything crossed for you.