Subungual Melanoma
- PMID: 29494087
- Bookshelf ID: NBK482480
Subungual Melanoma
Excerpt
Three distinct types of longitudinal melanonychia exist, including 1. lentigo, 2. nail matrix nevus, and 3. subungual melanoma. The first two conditions are benign lesions, while subungual melanoma is malignant. Subungual melanoma is a distinct subtype of cutaneous malignant melanoma arising from structures within the nail apparatus. It is ordinarily a variant of acral lentiginous melanoma, a malignant melanoma originating on palms and soles. Boyer originally recognized it in 1834. Hutchinson described the features in greater detail in 1886, offering a more accurate view of the condition. He described a specific sign strongly associated with subungual melanoma where the pigment extends beyond the nail and into the adjacent skin ("Hutchinson sign"). This article provides an up-to-date and accurate review of subungual melanoma and its management.
Nail unit melanoma, also called subungual melanoma, accounts for up to 3 percent of all melanomas in populations with lightly pigmented skin. However, it accounts for up to 30 percent of melanomas in populations with darkly pigmented skin.[
Copyright © 2024, StatPearls Publishing LLC.
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Sections
- Continuing Education Activity
- Introduction
- Etiology
- Epidemiology
- Pathophysiology
- Histopathology
- History and Physical
- Evaluation
- Treatment / Management
- Differential Diagnosis
- Surgical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Staging
- Prognosis
- Complications
- Postoperative and Rehabilitation Care
- Deterrence and Patient Education
- Pearls and Other Issues
- Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
- Review Questions
- References
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