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Noticed A Thin, Faint, Brown Line Under Index Fingers. Is Melanoma A Hereditary Disease?
Question: Last year my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. Recently I noticed a thin, faint, brown line under my index fingers. I read that melanoma can be inherited. Should these signs be worthy of consulting a doctor?
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query.
The brown discoloration under the nail is a melanoma if you can recall there is no history of injury that can result in hematoma under the nail.
How is your father, Melanomas do not give long time of survival and there is a bit hereditary predisposition.
If the discoloration is new/increasing/painful/ragged margins/bleeding then one must be proactive about it's diagnosis.
The subungual melanoma as in your case must be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any questions I will be happy to answer.
Please close the query if you have no other questions.
Wish you a good health.
Thanks for posting your query.
The brown discoloration under the nail is a melanoma if you can recall there is no history of injury that can result in hematoma under the nail.
How is your father, Melanomas do not give long time of survival and there is a bit hereditary predisposition.
If the discoloration is new/increasing/painful/ragged margins/bleeding then one must be proactive about it's diagnosis.
The subungual melanoma as in your case must be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any questions I will be happy to answer.
Please close the query if you have no other questions.
Wish you a good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Even if the line is a very faint brown there should be some concern? These lines seem to be new. I have not noticed them before. It doesn't seem like they are changing, but I did notice that they appeared. Im not sure if I should be concerned or not. My dad is doing well. They recently told us that there are "spots" on the lungs and liver.
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query.
If the line is not dense then may be it is some pigmentation in nail plate.
Your dermatologist can tell for sure whether it is in the nail plate or a subungual one.
You should take a close up photograph to keep a record of size shape and color.
You can send the photograph to me also in a follow up query for viewing.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any questions I will be happy to answer.
Please close the query if you have no other questions.
Wish you a good health.
Thanks for posting your query.
If the line is not dense then may be it is some pigmentation in nail plate.
Your dermatologist can tell for sure whether it is in the nail plate or a subungual one.
You should take a close up photograph to keep a record of size shape and color.
You can send the photograph to me also in a follow up query for viewing.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any questions I will be happy to answer.
Please close the query if you have no other questions.
Wish you a good health.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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