Acral lentiginous melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma
SpecialtyOncology, dermatology Edit this on Wikidata
SymptomsAreas of dark pigmentation [1]
CausesMalignant melanocytes[2][3]
Diagnostic methodBiopsy[4]
TreatmentBiologic immunotherapy agents[5]
FrequencyMales = Females[6]

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a type of skin cancer.[6] It typically begins as a uniform brownish mark before becoming darker and wider with a blurred, irregular border. ALM is most frequently seen on the foot of a person with darker skin but can also be found in non-sun exposed areas such as the palms, soles, and under finger and toenails.[6] It may become bumpy and ulcerate.[6] When under the nail it typically appears as dark longitudinal streaks.[7] As it grows, ALM may also spread to other areas of the body.[7]

Melanoma is a group of serious skin cancers that arise from pigment cells (melanocytes); acral lentiginous melanoma is a kind of lentiginous[8] skin melanoma.[6] ALM makes up less than 5% of all melanomas, but is considered the most common subtype in people with darker skin and is rare in people with lighter skin types.[9] It is not caused by exposure to sunlight or UV radiation, and wearing sunscreen does not protect against it. It occurs on non-hair-bearing surfaces of the body, which have not necessarily been exposed to sunlight. It is also found on mucous membranes.[10]

The absolute incidence of ALM is the same for people of all skin colors, and has not changed significantly for decades.[10] However, because rates of other melanomas are low in non-white populations, ALM is the most common form of melanoma diagnosed amongst Asian and sub-Saharan African ethnic groups.[11] The average age at diagnosis is between sixty and seventy years.[12] Males and females are affected equally, but females tend to be diagnosed at earlier stages.[6][7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference good was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference mel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference pili was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference punc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference mav was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f James WD, Elston D, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus I (2020). "30. Melanocytic nevi and neoplasms". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. pp. 696–697. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6.
  7. ^ a b c Hall KH, Rapini RP (2024), "Acral Lentiginous Melanoma", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 32644539, retrieved 2024-11-04
  8. ^ Phan A, Touzet S, Dalle S, Ronger-Savlé S, Balme B, Thomas L (August 2007). "Acral lentiginous melanoma: histopathological prognostic features of 121 cases". British Journal of Dermatology. 157 (2): 311–318. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08031.x. PMID 17596173. S2CID 40412082.
  9. ^ Hassel JC, Enk AH (2019), Kang S, Amagai M, Bruckner AL, Enk AH (eds.), "Melanoma", Fitzpatrick's Dermatology (9 ed.), New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education, retrieved 2024-11-04
  10. ^ a b LeBoit PE (2006). Pathology and Genetics of Skin Tumours. IARC. ISBN 978-92-832-2414-3.
  11. ^ Farage MA (2010-01-22). Textbook of Aging Skin. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-3-540-89655-5. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  12. ^ Swartz MH (2014-01-07). Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-0-323-22507-6. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2020-12-06.