What does the start of nail cancer look like?

a light- to dark-brown colored band on the nail that’s usually vertical. a dark band on the nail that slowly expands and covers more of the nail. dark nail pigmentation that expands to the surrounding skin. a nodule underneath the nail with or without a pigmentation band.

Can fingernails show signs of cancer?

Marks on Nails Dark lines beneath your nails can be a sign of melanoma, which is a dangerous form of skin cancer. When this disease develops beneath the nail it is referred to as hidden melanoma, and should be treated as soon as possible.

How common is cancer under the nail?

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.

How can you tell the difference between nail fungus and melanoma?

Diagnosing subungual melanoma vs. nail fungus

  • brown or black bands of color that increase in size over time.
  • change in skin pigment (darkening around the affected nail)
  • splitting nail or bleeding nail.
  • drainage (pus) and pain.
  • delayed healing of nail lesions or trauma.
  • separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Where does nail melanoma start?

Subungual melanoma originates in the nail matrix, which is where keratin forms. Other nail-related cancers include ungual melanoma, which develops underneath the nail plate, and periungual melanoma, which originates in the skin next to the nail plate.

How does melanoma make you feel?

You may lose your breath, have chest pain or noisy breathing or have a cough that won’t go away. You may feel pain in your liver (the right side of your stomach) Your bones may feel achy. Headaches that won’t go away.

What kind of doctor do you see for fingernail problems?

A dermatologist should examine any nail that’s lifting up. You may need treatment to clear an infection. A dermatologist can also give you some tips that may help the new nail grow out normally. If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection.