1. < Skin Health

Has anyone been diagnosed/treated for melanoma of the nail bed?

Posted by lpmikey66 @lpmikey66, Apr 21 9:12am

My husband was diagnosed with this several weeks ago (biopsy) and has met with several docs, including surgical oncologist. Brain MRI and PET Scan of his body are negative for metastasis. He is scheduled for partial amputation of the thumb/biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes in a couple of weeks. There might be an option to avoid the amputation (direct injections of immunotherapy drugs) but that is the big question??? It’s his dominant hand. Has anyone else been through this?

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pb50 | @pb50 | Apr 21 7:06pm

I recall hearing mid February about a new fast-track approval of an immunotherapy drug for specific melanoma scenarios. I wonder if this is that drug?

I understand that losing part of a thumb would be tough. But i am confident that designers of partial limbs have something amazing for a thumb. For just me, I’d want to weigh the risk of waiting ..
right now its in one place.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 22 12:29pm

@lpmikey66 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am wondering why they want to do a partial amputation, rather than removal of the nail bed and melanoma? Have they staged the melanoma to tell you what it is, yet? Have you considered a second opinion? Losing part of a digit on your dominant hand could be quite a challenge!

When I had the melanoma surgery on my right forearm, I chose to not do sentinel lymph node biopsy, based on the opinion of my surgeon. I had asked him if I was his sister, what he would have recommended.
Ginger

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lpmikey66 | @lpmikey66 | Apr 23 9:13pm
In reply to @gingerw "@lpmikey66 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am wondering why they want to do a partial..." + (show)
@gingerw

@lpmikey66 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am wondering why they want to do a partial amputation, rather than removal of the nail bed and melanoma? Have they staged the melanoma to tell you what it is, yet? Have you considered a second opinion? Losing part of a digit on your dominant hand could be quite a challenge!

When I had the melanoma surgery on my right forearm, I chose to not do sentinel lymph node biopsy, based on the opinion of my surgeon. I had asked him if I was his sister, what he would have recommended.
Ginger

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Thank you for your response, Ginger. We met with another surgical oncologist yesterday. I think my husband is going to opt for immunotherapy injections instead of amputation. No guarantees, of course, but definitely worth a try. Thanks again.

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lpmikey66 | @lpmikey66 | Apr 23 9:14pm
In reply to @pb50 "I recall hearing mid February about a new fast-track approval of an immunotherapy drug for specific..." + (show)
@pb50

I recall hearing mid February about a new fast-track approval of an immunotherapy drug for specific melanoma scenarios. I wonder if this is that drug?

I understand that losing part of a thumb would be tough. But i am confident that designers of partial limbs have something amazing for a thumb. For just me, I’d want to weigh the risk of waiting ..
right now its in one place.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response and input. Very appreciated.

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