Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

this could be subungual melanoma

38 replies

battenburg100 · 10/06/2023 13:00

Hi everyone
I was advised today by 111 to get an emergency appoinment with my GP within the next THREE days, due to a brown streak and black mark under my big toe nail - the possibility of it maybe being a subungual melanoma, a rare type of skin cancer.
I'm just writing to you all for support to help me through until Monday when I can hopefully see my GP, as I'm now highly anxious and finding every minute hard whilst waiting.
I was hoping if any Mumsnetters could tell me if you have had strange marks under your big toe nail and it has turned out to be nothing - just something to hold on to and stop me descending in to panic.
The brown streak I have had for 3 months and the black mark came the last 2 weeks. I havent had an injury to the toe nail, so it can't be trauma related.
My Mum had melanoma but this was related to sun exposure - subungual melanoma is not sun related - however there is a family history therefore of melanoma.
The outcomes of subjungual melanoma are very very bad - I'm just hoping as it is a very rare cancer, that it wont be likely that I could I have it.
I know you are not medics, but have you had anything similar and it turned out to be nothing?
Thank you

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
SadieLia · 10/06/2023 13:33

I'm going through exactly this and waiting to speak to my doctor next week :( good luck, hope it turns out not to be that.

Ruth2009 · 10/06/2023 13:34

Have you got a photo? xx

cantcopenow · 10/06/2023 13:40

A vlogger I like (not in English unfortunately or I’d share) went through this recently. It’s mainly a precaution. The doctor said to him that he was 99% sure it was absolutely harmless. But he’d feel terrible if he was wrong. It’s basically just that they don’t want to bet your life on it.

(I’m a cancer survivor and have an idea of what you’re going through so please don’t think I’m dismissing your fears. I’m trying to be realistic.)

Think of it a bit like this: you’re unlikely to get into a serious car accident, but you’d be mad not to wear your seatbelt just in case. The chance is low, but the stakes are high. That’s why they don’t mess around with it.

cantcopenow · 10/06/2023 13:42

(To be more clear: it was the specialist who was treating the vlogger, and his 99% certainty was even after the marks had changed).

Willyoujustbequiet · 10/06/2023 13:44

I had a black mark and couldn't remember any trauma where it was.

Turns out I had dropped something further down my foot about 3 months previously and it had somehow damaged the nail bed so it kept growing in black

Took 2 years but eventually went back to normal. Toes/Toe nails are really slow

Original poster
battenburg100 · 10/06/2023 13:47

Thank you for your kind messages. Yes I would post a photo but am not sure how to do it - not very tech savvy - if you can help with this thank you!

OP posts:
kittifer · 10/06/2023 13:48

Could be fungal melanonychia - looks very similar but completely benign and curable (although treatment takes about a year). Absolutely get it thoroughly checked but try not to panic.

Utini · 10/06/2023 13:52

My mum had similar under one of her toe nails. They were concerned enough to remove the nail and do a biopsy but fortunately it turned out to be nothing. Hopefully it's just trauma that you've forgotten about.

Original poster
battenburg100 · 10/06/2023 13:57

yes i had thought of fungal melonychia but other symptoms would be crumbling of the nail and a vertical stripe rather than a streak going across the nail.

OP posts:
SadieLia · 10/06/2023 13:58

There should be an add image button around where you are typing your messages.

Original poster
battenburg100 · 10/06/2023 14:13

Thank you for helping me upload the image - here it is x

this could be subungual melanoma
OP posts:
fuckmyuteruslining · 10/06/2023 14:45

Your nail looks a little fungal to me. See what the GP says, you can ask them to refer you to dermatology if they aren't sure what it is even if they don't think it's cancer. Mostly derm departments get photos sent through with referrals so they can act quickly.

Original poster
battenburg100 · 10/06/2023 15:21

thank you - if its fungal that would be amaing - if you want I would be happy to post an update Monday from my GP. Thank you for all your posts - every one makes feel less alone xx

OP posts:
Tidsleytiddy · 10/06/2023 15:32

Are you sure you’ve not dropped something on your toe? It looks bruised and how i’d expect it look if something heavy had been dropped on it x

Zarataralara · 10/06/2023 15:41

I’ve had them for years, it’s honestly never occurred to me to see a doctor. They disappear , maybe grow out I’ve really no idea, then come back.

CindersAgain · 10/06/2023 15:45

Even if it does turn out to be, unless you have reason to think it has spread, the outcome looks good to me, from a quick google?

fuckmyuteruslining · 10/06/2023 16:12

Good idea to update us op. You never know when somebody else will be looking for advice on a similar topic.

CoachBeardsJane · 10/06/2023 16:30

subungual melanoma usually (not always) presents as a vertical stripe all the way up the nail.

Ruth2009 · 11/06/2023 15:49

Subungual melanoma usually presents as a clearly defined longitudinal line on the nail plate, extending into the skin of the cuticle.
Pain, fast growth would also be a red flag.
That does not look too concerning to me, but best to get it checked out.
Hope it turns out to be nothing, keep us informed if you can xx

pbdr · 11/06/2023 16:15

As previous posters have mentioned, subungal melanomas typically present as a symmetrical longitudinal stripe extending from the base of the nail but not involving the nail fold. The shape of this lesion would be very atypical for a subungal melanoma. If I saw you (I'm a GP) I'd still make an urgent referral as a precaution, and you should absolutely follow this up, but I'd be expecting melanoma to be excluded rather than confirmed here.

Original poster
battenburg100 · 12/06/2023 17:43

Hi everyone, here's an update from my GP as promised. He gave me an urgent 2 week referral. He has worked in the dermatology department of the hospital that I am being referred to, so straight away I knew he would have more insight in to what the problem is.

He said, there's a possiblity of subjungual melanoma, which straight away made my anxiey levels heighten, though he did say, things have come back that look like that and have been fine.
I know how deadly this type of cancer can be and have been so unbelivably anxious, I have booked a consultation with a private hospital as the 2 week wait is too much for my head to take. - so I will see someone privately in a few days. If you want me to keep you updated, I would be happy to do this.

OP posts:
Username9917 · 12/06/2023 17:47

Oh my goodness, sending you the biggest hug and praying it's all ok xx

georgarina · 12/06/2023 17:47

DD had this and it turned out to be nothing and eventually grew out. Very stressful time. Good luck <3

CarrieO · 12/06/2023 17:48

I had very similar and it turned out that it was a new (harmless) mole under my nail that had grown in a weird shape because it was growing under the nail.

keeping fingers crossed for you.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 12/06/2023 18:01

It is unlikely to be a melanoma as it doesn’t extend to the bottom margin of your nail.