Does Subungual melanoma get bigger?
Subungual melanomas usually appear as a brown or black streak under the nail. Typically, these streaks gradually increase in size and are usually larger than 3mm. Unlike nail infection or trauma to the nails, subungual melanoma typically affects one nail at a time.
How does Subungual melanoma start?
Subungual melanoma often starts as a pigmented band visible the length of the nail plate (melanonychia). Over weeks to months, the pigment band: Becomes wider, especially at its proximal end (cuticle) Becomes more irregular in pigmentation including light brown, dark brown.
How fast does melanoma skin cancer grow?
Melanoma can grow very quickly. It can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks and, if untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun. Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous form of melanoma that looks different from common melanomas.
How aggressive is Subungual melanoma?
Subungual melanomas are fairly uncommon, and the lack of experience can result in an unnecessarily aggressive approach to treatment. While having an excellent care team around you is important, you remain the most important facet of that team.
How serious is Subungual melanoma?
Subungual melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that occurs in the skin under your nails. Subungual melanomas are rare, seen in only 0.07% to 3.5% of the people in the world who have melanoma. But these melanomas can spread to other parts of your body and cause death.
Can you have melanoma for years and not know?
How long can you have melanoma and not know it? It depends on the type of melanoma. For example, nodular melanoma grows rapidly over a matter of weeks, while a radial melanoma can slowly spread over the span of a decade. Like a cavity, a melanoma may grow for years before producing any significant symptoms.
Can Subungual melanoma be benign?
Subungual pigmentation can have benign and malignant etiologies. A common and important differential diagnosis is between subungual hematoma and subungual acrolentiginous melanoma.
What color is Subungual melanoma?
Subungual melanoma presents as brown-black discolorations of the nail bed. It can present as either a streak of pigment or irregular pigmentation.
What does melanoma look like on your toe?
Melanoma can also occur in your toenails. This is most common in the big toes of your feet. The cancerous cells underneath the nails can look like purple, brown, or black bruises. These also tend to look like dark streaks that grow vertically in the nail.