› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Great toe melanoma
- This topic has 18 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by
lalumiere1.
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- February 13, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Hi, everyone. I was diagnosed with melanoma on the bottom of my big toe on January 26, 2016 and I am grateful to find this forum. The doctor who did my original biopsy did not extend beyond the peripheral and deep tissue edges. The Legion was transected and its base could not be fully evaluated by the pathologist. The biopsy contained a flat piece of skin 0.6 by 0.5 by 0.1 centimeters with an off Center light tan lesion measuring 0.5 by 0.4 centimeters. Due to loss of elastic tension and tissue shrinkage the clinical sizes might be larger as reported by the pathologist. I’m assuming the shrinkage was due to how the dermatologist proceeded to take a biopsy. He used a knife to cut into the bottom of my toe but as I “commented” on the extreme pain and the bleeding he grabbed a gauze and apologized saying he “would have used novacane if he intended to go that deep”. Everything seemed to be wrong from the beginning. He did not use anything to clean my toe before he cut it, once he realized he went deep without cleaning or numbing it and I got concerned with the pain and excessive bleeding,
he put the specimen down on the table, on the paper I was sitting on, and grabbed gauze to take care of the bleeding and cover me with iodine before picking up the specimen from the paper covering my table, and taking it by tweezers across the hall to be put into a container, I assume. I’m wondering now if anyone has had the surgery to remove the melanoma from the bottom of their toe so that I can learn what I might be expecting in the future. I know when my surgeon at Dana-Farber will cut this out for full biopsy it will be much wider and deeper than before. My biggest concern is with losing my large toe, as I’ve seen some people have, given the dimensions of the skin biopsy needs to be larger than the spot. For the first 10 days since my diagnosis my life went from quite normal to much confusion and worry, as I have read here with other people too. Once I got into Dana Farber in Boston I am feeling more positive and having told me 32 year old daughter, my only child, that hurdle is over. Like me she took it pretty well at first and is now experiencing the anger, worry, solitude of emotions that would be expected from an only child with no father. Since there is so little tissue on the bottom of my big toe I know that much of my toe bottom will probably be removed. The doctor said I’m looking at one surgery to do the biopsy correctly and another to follow up with the next step and then have a plastic surgeon join in. Has anyone had the surgery done on the bottom of their large toe?
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- February 14, 2016 at 3:28 pm
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Melanoma is a difficult roller coaster of emotions, and it sounds like you had a terrible start. PLEASE do NOT see that same dermatologist who did the original biopsy – they sound like an absolute idiot. Unfortunately, as a patient we have little recourse if a doctor screws up. I’d suggest writing a letter to the medical officer on staff at the facility…it won’t heal the mistakes made in your biopsy, but at the very least this shouldn’t happen to anyone else.Dana Farber is an excellent place. I’m seeing Dr. Flaherty at Mass General, and I believe he goes to both facilities. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and I feel very comfortable in his care. If you want any info on my surgical oncologist or care, you can PM me.
My primary was on my thigh, so I don’t have any experience with melanoma on the toe. That’s a tough spot. Will you be having a SLNB as well? Glad you’re now in better hands!
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- February 14, 2016 at 3:28 pm
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Melanoma is a difficult roller coaster of emotions, and it sounds like you had a terrible start. PLEASE do NOT see that same dermatologist who did the original biopsy – they sound like an absolute idiot. Unfortunately, as a patient we have little recourse if a doctor screws up. I’d suggest writing a letter to the medical officer on staff at the facility…it won’t heal the mistakes made in your biopsy, but at the very least this shouldn’t happen to anyone else.Dana Farber is an excellent place. I’m seeing Dr. Flaherty at Mass General, and I believe he goes to both facilities. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and I feel very comfortable in his care. If you want any info on my surgical oncologist or care, you can PM me.
My primary was on my thigh, so I don’t have any experience with melanoma on the toe. That’s a tough spot. Will you be having a SLNB as well? Glad you’re now in better hands!
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- February 15, 2016 at 12:14 am
Me, too! Thanks for the info, I’ll keep your surgeons name, you never know. Nothing being done until we do the first surgery/biopsy at Dana- Farber. I appreciate your taking the time here and sharing your advice:) -
- February 15, 2016 at 12:14 am
Me, too! Thanks for the info, I’ll keep your surgeons name, you never know. Nothing being done until we do the first surgery/biopsy at Dana- Farber. I appreciate your taking the time here and sharing your advice:) -
- February 15, 2016 at 12:14 am
Me, too! Thanks for the info, I’ll keep your surgeons name, you never know. Nothing being done until we do the first surgery/biopsy at Dana- Farber. I appreciate your taking the time here and sharing your advice:)
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- February 14, 2016 at 3:28 pm
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Melanoma is a difficult roller coaster of emotions, and it sounds like you had a terrible start. PLEASE do NOT see that same dermatologist who did the original biopsy – they sound like an absolute idiot. Unfortunately, as a patient we have little recourse if a doctor screws up. I’d suggest writing a letter to the medical officer on staff at the facility…it won’t heal the mistakes made in your biopsy, but at the very least this shouldn’t happen to anyone else.Dana Farber is an excellent place. I’m seeing Dr. Flaherty at Mass General, and I believe he goes to both facilities. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and I feel very comfortable in his care. If you want any info on my surgical oncologist or care, you can PM me.
My primary was on my thigh, so I don’t have any experience with melanoma on the toe. That’s a tough spot. Will you be having a SLNB as well? Glad you’re now in better hands!
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- February 14, 2016 at 4:14 pm
I had a great toe melanoma. Mine was on the edge of the nailbed. I actually had no idea it was there was it was obscured by the nail. I discovered it based on my nail cracking and not growing back. My podiatrist recognized it as an issue and attempted a biopsy in his office which actually came back negative for melanoma. However, after the toe didn't get better for a few weeks with related treatments, he decided to surgically remove it and I had an excision – that came back as melanoma.
I was fairly deep, 4.3mm. So, the option was partial amputation – the took off the top from roughly the "knuckle." It sorta sucked at first, but now I really don't notice it.
depending on your depth, you may be looking at the same thing. So first, you'll need the excision to determine depth. If it is deep, which is unfortuantely common with feet/toe melanomas, then you may be facing partial amputation. That sounds bad, but honestly it hasn't been that bad at all. I really barely notice, I hated thong sandals, so that was no loss and i make frequent jokes.
Good luck. I know its a world-changing experience, but take solace in knowing you're ahead of the game because you know and can act.
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- February 14, 2016 at 4:14 pm
I had a great toe melanoma. Mine was on the edge of the nailbed. I actually had no idea it was there was it was obscured by the nail. I discovered it based on my nail cracking and not growing back. My podiatrist recognized it as an issue and attempted a biopsy in his office which actually came back negative for melanoma. However, after the toe didn't get better for a few weeks with related treatments, he decided to surgically remove it and I had an excision – that came back as melanoma.
I was fairly deep, 4.3mm. So, the option was partial amputation – the took off the top from roughly the "knuckle." It sorta sucked at first, but now I really don't notice it.
depending on your depth, you may be looking at the same thing. So first, you'll need the excision to determine depth. If it is deep, which is unfortuantely common with feet/toe melanomas, then you may be facing partial amputation. That sounds bad, but honestly it hasn't been that bad at all. I really barely notice, I hated thong sandals, so that was no loss and i make frequent jokes.
Good luck. I know its a world-changing experience, but take solace in knowing you're ahead of the game because you know and can act.
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- February 15, 2016 at 12:29 am
Thanks for sharing. Your experience is exactly the story I wanted to find…it is the mirror of my emotions. I’m trying to prepare myself for the worst, amputation, and I can’t stop wondering if I’m strong enough, emotionally, for it. On the other hand, much like u, I’d probably joke about it and already I have: I have my mother’s ugliest feet anyway so no big loss.lol thx for the smile. Keep smiling -
- February 15, 2016 at 12:29 am
Thanks for sharing. Your experience is exactly the story I wanted to find…it is the mirror of my emotions. I’m trying to prepare myself for the worst, amputation, and I can’t stop wondering if I’m strong enough, emotionally, for it. On the other hand, much like u, I’d probably joke about it and already I have: I have my mother’s ugliest feet anyway so no big loss.lol thx for the smile. Keep smiling -
- February 15, 2016 at 12:29 am
Thanks for sharing. Your experience is exactly the story I wanted to find…it is the mirror of my emotions. I’m trying to prepare myself for the worst, amputation, and I can’t stop wondering if I’m strong enough, emotionally, for it. On the other hand, much like u, I’d probably joke about it and already I have: I have my mother’s ugliest feet anyway so no big loss.lol thx for the smile. Keep smiling -
- February 15, 2016 at 8:03 pm
If you're female, I can understand the concerns. It limits some options. However, as a guy, I rarely notice, I don't feel bad about having my bare feet out either. Just a total "whatever."
Trust me, I went through total anxiety. And you hear about people with sarcomas and such who (no offense to either of us) have real amputations and I do count my blessings. Honestly, it's just not a big deal anymore. Stubbing your "toe" does suck though – it hurts way more (although happens way less, haha).
Still though, I can assure you that you get over it and consider the alternative to be much less preferable. Regardless of how it comes out, you'll be fine and still be able to run, walk, live your life in much the same way. Some people have issues, but most don't at all.
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- February 15, 2016 at 8:03 pm
If you're female, I can understand the concerns. It limits some options. However, as a guy, I rarely notice, I don't feel bad about having my bare feet out either. Just a total "whatever."
Trust me, I went through total anxiety. And you hear about people with sarcomas and such who (no offense to either of us) have real amputations and I do count my blessings. Honestly, it's just not a big deal anymore. Stubbing your "toe" does suck though – it hurts way more (although happens way less, haha).
Still though, I can assure you that you get over it and consider the alternative to be much less preferable. Regardless of how it comes out, you'll be fine and still be able to run, walk, live your life in much the same way. Some people have issues, but most don't at all.
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- February 17, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Were u at Dana? -
- February 17, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Were u at Dana? -
- February 17, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Were u at Dana? -
- February 15, 2016 at 8:03 pm
If you're female, I can understand the concerns. It limits some options. However, as a guy, I rarely notice, I don't feel bad about having my bare feet out either. Just a total "whatever."
Trust me, I went through total anxiety. And you hear about people with sarcomas and such who (no offense to either of us) have real amputations and I do count my blessings. Honestly, it's just not a big deal anymore. Stubbing your "toe" does suck though – it hurts way more (although happens way less, haha).
Still though, I can assure you that you get over it and consider the alternative to be much less preferable. Regardless of how it comes out, you'll be fine and still be able to run, walk, live your life in much the same way. Some people have issues, but most don't at all.
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- February 14, 2016 at 4:14 pm
I had a great toe melanoma. Mine was on the edge of the nailbed. I actually had no idea it was there was it was obscured by the nail. I discovered it based on my nail cracking and not growing back. My podiatrist recognized it as an issue and attempted a biopsy in his office which actually came back negative for melanoma. However, after the toe didn't get better for a few weeks with related treatments, he decided to surgically remove it and I had an excision – that came back as melanoma.
I was fairly deep, 4.3mm. So, the option was partial amputation – the took off the top from roughly the "knuckle." It sorta sucked at first, but now I really don't notice it.
depending on your depth, you may be looking at the same thing. So first, you'll need the excision to determine depth. If it is deep, which is unfortuantely common with feet/toe melanomas, then you may be facing partial amputation. That sounds bad, but honestly it hasn't been that bad at all. I really barely notice, I hated thong sandals, so that was no loss and i make frequent jokes.
Good luck. I know its a world-changing experience, but take solace in knowing you're ahead of the game because you know and can act.
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