United Kingdom (Great Britain)

A 22-year-old female asked:

Will they remove my nail when they check my suspected subungual melanoma?

5 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Liawaty Hoanswered

Hematology and Oncology 25 years experience

Most likely yes: Most likely yes. They would need to get a biopsy of the mole. If it is located underneath the nail- the nail has to be out so a biopsy can be done and enough tissue can be resected. Discuss with your dermatologist.

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5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Michael Sparacino

Dr. Carlo Contreras

Dr. Michael Sparacino and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A Verified Doctoranswered

Surgical Oncology 20 years experience

Usually yes: Usually removing the nail is the most effective way to get a good sample, and the best way to have your nail bed heal properly. The only exception might be if the area were on the edge of your big toe nail, perhaps the nail could be spared. Don't worry, the nail will grow back!

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5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Pamela Pappas

Dr. Pamela Pappas agrees1 doctor agrees

Dr. Arlo Milleranswered

Dermatology 17 years experience

Usually: Most of the time, the nail will need to come off. If it can be avoided, i try to do so, but more often than not the nail has to go to get access to the area to get a biopsy.

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Dr. Travis Kidneranswered

Surgical Oncology 19 years experience

Yes: But usually the nail will grow back.

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A Verified Doctoranswered

38 years experience

Subungual melanoma: You will need the biopsy first to prove the diagnosis, then the surgery to remove the tumor. It could be removal of the part of the nail and the nail bed. It could be the whole nail too. It depends on how wide and deep is the tumor.

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4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Related questions

A 21-year-old male asked:

Faint brown or black lines on toe nails the lines are also vertical can this be subungual melanoma?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 30-year-old female asked:

Is a dark TRANSVERSAL band in hallux nail compatible with subungual melanoma? It's brown,near lunula,not painful.is it only typical of an Hematoma?

3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A 18-year-old male asked:

I am having two pale black vertical streaks on left thumb nail which are <1 mm in width , both are parallel to each other. Is it Subungual melanoma ?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A female asked:

Dark nail band on my thumb, with faint bands on the sides and other nails..brother 9 yr has bands as well.Is it subungual melanoma?dark skin,20yr

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 23-year-old male asked:

How can you tell the difference between subungual hematoma vs melanoma? Had a dark area under toe nail for 3 months (not a vertical line though)

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Last updated Oct 20, 2016

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