Amelanotic melanoma: a unique case study and review of the literature

Amelanotic melanoma (AM) is a rare form of melanoma which lacks visible pigment. Due to the achromic manifestation of this atypical cutaneous malignancy, it has been difficult to establish clinical criteria for diagnosis. Thus, AM often progresses into an invasive disease due to delayed diagnosis. In this report, we describe the case of a 72-year-old Caucasian woman who had been diagnosed with AM after 3 years of failed treatments for what presented as a periorbital dermatitis. Her Clark's level 4, 1.30 mm thick melanoma required nine surgeries for successful resection and reconstruction. This case exemplifies the diagnostic pitfall of AM and the need for new criteria for early detection and management.