J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1979 Sep;14(3):399-402. 10.4055/jkoa.1979.14.3.399.

Subungual Melanoma of Left Thumb: A Case Report

• Kim ID
• Ihin JC
• Lee SY
• Kwon KW
• Kim SD

• KMID: 2460279
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1979.14.3.399

Abstract

The following case report concerns a rare subungual melanoma of left thumb which metastasized into the ipsilateral axilla. Subungual melanoma, or melanotic whitlow, is a malignant lesion requiring early diagnosis and urgent treatment. Unlike melanomas located elsewhere on the skin of the body, subungual melanomas are shielded by the nails, which handicaps the securing of a biopsy by the clinician. We report a case of subungual melanoma in a 61 year-old man who had a 6 months history of painful axillary mass.

MeSH Terms

Axilla
Biopsy
Early Diagnosis
Melanoma*
Skin
Thumb*