Nail removal / nail bed biopsy- what to expect?

Hi  and welcome to the group

I'm assuming that you think you might have a rare acral lentiginous melanoma from the description in your post. There is a tiny bit of information about it on the types of melanoma page. However, please don't presume you have cancer as other things could be causing this problem.

I have only found one other person in this group who has something similar recently.  was seeing a consultant dermatologist about the on 19th April and I'm hoping that they don't mind me tagging them in the hope that they can reply to you.

You could also contact the team who are removing the nail and doing the biopsy and ask their advice on whether you can drive, etc as they will be best placed to know. Alternatively give the Macmillan Support Line a call on 0800 808 0000. It's free to call and staffed by trained experts who should be able to help.

When do you have your appointment? Please come back and tell us how you got on.

x

Hi Vixy1504,

I hope you don't mind me jumping onto your thread, but i'm experiencing the same thing and wondered how the biopsy went?  I've got a light brown line down the centre of my thumb and my GP referred me on a 2 week wait to see a dermatologist.  The dermatologist didn't say much and referred me on to a hand surgeon.  I saw a lovely consultant yesterday who has put me back on the two week wait and booked me in for removal of the nail bed on 18th September.  I'm not overly concerned about the melanoma risk (I don't have a 'Hutchinson's sign' and i've heard that subungual melanoma is pretty rare, but i am really nervous over the biopsy!!  How did you get on?

Thanks

Hannah

Hi Hannah.

I had the biopsy about 2 months ago.

It turned out to be a glomus tumour- phew!

Regarding the biopsy itself that went better than expected. I was absolutely terrified before hand but it was totally fine. The nurses kept me talking throughout the op and I honestly didn't feel a thing. My hand was numb for about 8 hours afterwards.

Once the numbness wore off it was excruciatingly painful. I went to my Drs the next day who couldn't believe that had sent me away without painkillers. I was prescribed painkillers and wad  fairly dependant on napraxon and strong cocodamol for a few days- boy I felt it when they were wearing off! 

I couldn't drive for about a week afterwards due to swelling and pain. I was amazed that such a 'small'thing could effect stuff. But after the first week everything was fine. The nail (which was stitched back on) finally fell off a few days ago. As yet no sign of a new one. It can still be a bit tender if caught the wrong wag and doesn't look great but im glad I had the op because worrying about the line was sending me out of my mind!

Hope that helps? If you want to know anything specific let me know.

Vikki

Hi Vikki,

Glad to hear yours was a benign tumour, what a relief!!

Thank you so much for getting back to me, you’ve answered all the questions I wish I’d have asked the Consultant! I’m really squeamish over fingers, so feeling quite nervous, but I’ll be relieved when it’s done. Thanks again, you’ve been a tremendous help,

Hannah

Hello

i am currently going through the same thing I have my first appointment with the dermatology on Tuesday. The line on my index finger was first noticed (well I say first noticed it may hve been there longer but i just didn’t think anything off it) 10 weeks ago. Been doctors twice and it is still there he sent photos to dermatology who phoned me up within the week with an appointment.... really nervous as what to expect, will they always do I biopsy and remove the nail or do they just look at it under a microscope? 

Woudl appreciate any help and advice here please 

Hi Mrs baker

At my first dermatology appt they looked at it under a special torch thing and took photos.

They said because removing it wasn't straight forward like a normal mole on the skin they would do a 'watchful wait' instead.

I had to go back after 6 months. They saw that it was still there 6 months later, at which point I and the op to remove the nail and the underlying tissue in a biopsy.

Hi mrscbaker,

For me, the dermatology appointment was just a check under the microscope (and he took a nail clipping to rule out any underlying infections). As my line had been there well over a year, he referred me to the hand clinic, where there was another consultation and then the biopsy arranged within the two week wait. Hope this helps.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Hannah 

Thank you for your quick reply.... I have been the doctors. Couple of times with it and they took photos at different times, and sent them off to dermatology. Which is why I was wondering what that they will do at the hospital. I’m nervous incase they take my nail off. Just starting to worry now my appointment is close especially as they said it was an emergency appointment it’s less than 2 weeks since the doctors sent my photos off to them and referred me.

Thank you for your quick reply... my appointment is Tuesday. Photos have already been sent which were taken at different times. I suppose I will find out Tuesday. Just nervous waiting 

I very much doubt that the nail will be taken off at this appointment as mine was done in theatre like a proper op. I also had to sign consent forms etc At the appt before.

So I'm  guessing it will be a chatting appt and they will decide d whether to do the op or not.