Plantar Melanoma: An Investigation of Its Incidence

Melanoma accounts for more than 100,000 new cancer cases each year, and a minority (3%-15%) involve the foot and ankle. Case studies and isolated data set analyses report infrequent plantar melanomas, with these tumors more commonly encountered in non-whites. The absolute incidence of plantar melanoma is approximately the same in all races, but it is a more common type of cutaneous melanoma in non-white populations. Plantar melanoma is more prevalent in women, potentially a result of increased inflammation from uncomfortable shoes. When presenting on the plantar surface of the foot, features atypical of classic cutaneous melanoma are often present.