Korean J Dermatol.
2009 May;47(5):554-557.
A Case of Amelanotic Melanoma: Dermoscopic Features
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. drkmp@hanmail.net
Abstract
- Amelanotic melanoma is a subtype of malignant melanoma that lacks clinically visible pigmentation. The absence of recognizable pigmentation obscures the clinical hallmark of the more typical form of malignant melanoma. Because it mimics various non-pigmented benign and malignant skin diseases, clinicians have difficulty diagnosing this lesion. An incorrect or delayed diagnosis can result in a worse outcome because the prognosis of melanoma depends on the tumor thickness and tissue invasion at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial for treating amelanotic melanoma. Dermoscopy is a useful non-invasive technique for diagnosing not only pigmented skin lesions, but also non-pigmented skin lesions because this modality can visualize vascular structures that are not discernible to the naked eye. Analyzing the dermoscopic vascular structures of amelanotic melanoma helps make an early diagnosis. We report here on a case of amelanotic melanoma for which the diagnosis was aided by performing dermoscopy as an adjuvant tool.
