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Acral
Lentiginous
Melanoma
Acral
lentiginous
melanoma is
a kind of
skin
melanoma. It
is also
known as
subungual
melanoma. It
is seen on
the palms,
soles and
under the
nails. This
is the most
common form
of melanoma
in Asians
and Blacks.
The average
age at
diagnosis is
between
sixty and
seventy
years. It
also occurs
in
Caucasians
and in young
people. This
type of
melanoma
occurs on
non hair
baring
surfaces of
the body
which may or
may not be
exposed to
sunlight.
Typical
symptoms
include:
*
longitudinal
tan, black,
or brown
streak on a
finger or
toe nail (melanonychia
striata)
*
pigmentation
of proximal
nail fold
* areas
of dark
pigmentation
on palms of
hands or
soles of
feet
Any new area
of
pigmentation
or an
existing one
that shows
change
should be
checked by a
dermatologist.
If caught
early this
type of
melanoma has
a similar
cure rate as
the other
types of
superficial
spreading
melanoma.
The
microscopic
hallmarks
are:
*
atypical
melanocytes
in
junctional
nests
* dermal
invasion
*
desmoplasia
*
hyperplastic
epidermis
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