Ann Dermatol.  2008 Mar;20(1):26-28. 10.5021/ad.2008.20.1.26.

A Case of Amelanotic Subungual Melanoma

• Kim SJ
• Park HJ
• Lee JY
• Cho BK

• KMID: 2156356
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2008.20.1.26

Abstract

Amelanotic subungual melanoma is a rare dermatosis, and it is frequently misdiagnosed probably because of its nonspecific clinical features. We herein report on a case of amelanotic subungual melanoma extended to the adjacent skin in a 36-year-old Korean woman. This case is interesting in that clinically, it needed differentiation from Bowen's disease, lichen planus, sarcoidosis, etc. and very early invading features of the melanoma were observed on the histopathologic section.

Keyword

Amelanotic subungual melanoma

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bowen's Disease
Female
Humans
Lichen Planus
Melanoma
Sarcoidosis
Skin
Skin Diseases

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Asymptomatic, erythematous plaque with dystrophic and partial loss of the nail plate of the index finger.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Histologic findings of the amputated finger showing melanoma cells and cell nests involving the dermoepidermal junction of the nail matrix and extending to the nail bed (H&E, × 25, Inset: H&E, × 100). (B) Histologic section from the periungual lesion showing tumor cell nests packing the upper two thirds of dermis (H&E, × 40). (C) Immunohistochemical staining for Melan-A showing positive cytoplasmic reactivity in melanoma cells (Melan-A stain, × 100).

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