I read all the postings about a black line that runs down the fingernail, which I have on my thumbnail, and the most of the postings do confirm what my doctor said - that it could be melanoma. Here's my question - I need a biopsy, so I went to the surgeon, and his way is to remove the entire thumb nail. I thought they would make a hole or something to that effect. I think removing the entire nail is a bit extreme. He said that way they could see if the black line is on my finger rather than just on the nail. (But as the nail grows, the black line is on the tips too, way pass the nail bed.) Then he wants to send the nail itself to a lab for testing. Has anyone had a biopsy of a finger in a case like this? I am freaked out. They are planning on numbing my thumb, and "pop off the nail" as he said - I don't think it's that easy !! And no pain meds after.:confused: