Melanoma of the lower extremities: foot site is an independent risk factor for clinical outcome

Despite the better prognosis of melanomas localized on lower extremities, some studies have suggested that melanomas on the foot are related to a poorer survival and should be considered separately.

To review our case series of cutaneous melanomas on the lower extremities and to analyze the clinicopathological association, time course, types of progression, and survival differences.

We included 1671 patients (stage 0-II) with a cutaneous melanoma on the lower extremities (subungual melanomas were excluded). Of these, 327 were localized on the foot. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate disease-specific survival and disease-free interval.

Distribution of known prognostic factors and patterns of progression of foot and leg melanoma differ across genders. The foot site was confirmed as a negative independent prognostic factor on disease-specific survival and disease-free interval.

Foot melanoma could represent a particular subgroup, which could require specific management in the future.