Significance of Dermoscopic Patterns in Detecting Malignant Melanoma on Acral Volar Skin

Authors:
  • AMAtsushi Miyazaki
    Atsushi Miyazaki
  • SOShinji Oguchi
    Shinji Oguchi
  • YIYasushi Ishihara
    Yasushi Ishihara
  • YYYoriko Yamazaki
    Yoriko Yamazaki
  • SMSumio Murase
    Sumio Murase
  • SYShusuke Yoshikawa
    Shusuke Yoshikawa
  • TTTetsuya Tsuchida
    Tetsuya Tsuchida
  • YKYasuhiro Kawabata
    Yasuhiro Kawabata
  • KTKunihiko Tamaki
    Kunihiko Tamaki
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Abstract
In nonwhite populations, malignant melanoma is most frequently seen on acral skin. In Japanese, about one half of all cutaneous melanomas affect acral skin, and nearly 30% of them are detected on the sole of the foot.1 In addition, approximately 10% of melanomas involve the nail apparatus of fingers and toes. Most melanomas affecting acral skin are of the acral lentiginous type, which accompanies a macular component within the lesions.1 The prognosis of acral lentiginous melanoma is generally poor, since most of them are found in advanced stages. Detection of this type of melanoma in early, curable stages is essential to improve the prognosis. On acral skin, however, benign melanocytic nevi are also frequently encountered. In a recent study by Saida,2 approximately 7% of the Japanese population had melanocytic nevi on the soles. Clinical differentiation between early melanomas and melanocytic nevi on acral volar skin is often not easy. Moreover, biopsy of lesions on the sole and of the nail apparatus can be difficult to perform.

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