What Are Those Strange Lines on Nails?... American Woman Diagnosed with Cancer After Getting Nail Art

If Not Detected Early, It Can Spread Rapidly
See a Dermatologist Immediately If You Notice Anything Unusual
Can Occur Anywhere Melanocytes Are Present

A story has emerged about a woman in her 50s living in the United States who discovered skin cancer while getting a nail art treatment. On the 10th (local time), News18 and other foreign media introduced the story of a woman who found melanoma while receiving nail art. Michelle Taliamonte, who lives in Ohio, USA, noticed a faint black line on the nail of her right thumb while getting nail art in September last year.

A month later, when she went back for nail care, the black line on her nail had not disappeared, so Taliamonte visited a hospital. After a dermatological examination, she was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Taliamonte recalled, "I was sure it was nothing, so I was shocked when I was diagnosed with melanoma."

A woman in her 50s living in Ohio, USA, discovered melanoma while getting a nail art treatment. On the 10th (local time), News 18 and other foreign media reported the story of a woman who found melanoma during a nail art session. The Sun

At the time of diagnosis, the melanoma had spread from the growth plate of Taliamonte’s thumb to the first joint of the finger. Eventually, she underwent a four-hour surgery in January to remove the cancer. She also had a skin graft surgery to cover the exposed tendons and bones of her hand due to the surgery. Although she had to remove the nail on her right thumb, Taliamonte said that thanks to regularly getting nail art, she was able to detect the cancer at an early stage and save her life. She advised, "I won’t have a thumb nail anymore, but I am very grateful because worse things could have happened. Nothing is guaranteed, so if you notice anything unusual, trust your instincts and get it checked."

Melanoma is a skin cancer caused by the malignancy of melanocytes, which produce melanin pigment. It can occur anywhere melanocytes exist. It frequently occurs on the soles, palms, and nails in East Asians and is known to be the most malignant among skin cancers. If a new black spot appears or an existing mole becomes irregular, asymmetrical, or grows in size, malignancy should be suspected. Since cancer cells have a high possibility of metastasis, it is important to remove a sufficient margin, and the extent of excision depends on how deeply the melanoma has penetrated the skin.