Subungual melanoma: A single center series from Dresden

Subungual melanoma (SUM) is a rare subtype in Caucasians. Histologically, most tumors are of the acrolentiginous type (ALM). This is a retrospective analysis of the years 2002-2019 at a certified skin cancer center. We observed 12 SUM patients with a median age of 76 years, seven men and five women (0.6% of all melanomas). The delay of diagnosis reached from 30 years to several months. Hallux and thumb were the most affected localizations. The dominant histologic type was ALM. Clinical symptoms were nail plate destruction (90.9%), bleeding (50.0%), pigmentation of the nail plate (33.3%), and a positive Hutchinson sign (25.0%). All tumors were treated surgically with three-dimensional margin control. In six patients, amputation was performed. Median relapse-free survival and overall survival were (56 ± 73.5) months and (112.5 ± 135.1) months, respectively. SUM is rare among Caucasian patients. Nail plate pigmentation and Hutchinson sign were not frequent. Amelanotic ALM with nail plate destruction was the dominant presentation in our series. Dermoscopy is of limited value for amelanotic subungual tumors. Early biopsy of unusual or treatment resistant nail disorders is recommended.