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What Could Cause A Black Line On The Line ?
Hi I have a black line on my thumb nail. Iv looked on the internet. And it is saying it s skin cancer. Can you please tell me if it is skin cancer. I have been to my doctor and he is sending me to see a specialist. I am very worried. Could you please tell me what it could be and what will I expect if it is. And what is the life expectancy. My doctor did ask me if I have had a skin disease, which I have not. I am so worried. Hope you can help.
Wed, 19 Mar 2014
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic,
If there is a pigmentation over your proximal nail fold along with black line on your thumb nail then it could be hutchinson's nail sign which is seen in malignant melanoma. Only a black line on the nail plate without any pigmentation over proximal nail fold could be a simple longitudinal melanonychia or part of nail lichen planus. When doctor asked you about skin disease it could be to elicit history of lichen planus. If hutchinson's nail sign is positive it is better to do a nail matrix biopsy to rule out malignant melanoma.
Hope this helped,
Take care
Welcome to healthcare magic,
If there is a pigmentation over your proximal nail fold along with black line on your thumb nail then it could be hutchinson's nail sign which is seen in malignant melanoma. Only a black line on the nail plate without any pigmentation over proximal nail fold could be a simple longitudinal melanonychia or part of nail lichen planus. When doctor asked you about skin disease it could be to elicit history of lichen planus. If hutchinson's nail sign is positive it is better to do a nail matrix biopsy to rule out malignant melanoma.
Hope this helped,
Take care
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