Subungual amelanotic melanoma of the hallux

Review of the literature with a case report

Authors

  • MJ Tladi
  • NP Saragas
  • PNF Ferrao
  • A Strydom

Keywords:

subungual melanoma, melanoma, amelanotic, acral lentiginous melanoma

Abstract

Subungual melanoma of the hallux is a rare malignancy occurring mainly in elderly black Africans and Asians. It is often misdiagnosed as a benign lesion. We present a review of the English literature and report on a case of an 80-year-old Caucasian female patient who presented with a rare subungual amelanotic malignant melanoma of the hallux that was initially misdiagnosed as an ingrown toenail. Due to lack of pigmentation, amelanotic melanoma poses a huge dilemma in diagnosis. Upon comparing this case with the current literature, we propose that unlike most acral subungual melanomas, subungual amelanotic melanoma occurs mainly in elderly Caucasian females.

Level of study: IV case series

Downloads

Published

2017-08-25

Issue

Section

Foot and Ankle