[Malignant melanoma of the sole]

Ten cases of malignant melanoma on the sole are reported. Of these, 4 were acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM); 3 nodular melanoma; 2 were unclassifiable and 1 was ALM in situ. The nodular melanoma on the sole possessed a common feature with that occurring at other area of the body. ALM was considered consisting of a lump and its surrounding pigmented macular areas, while ALM in situ only appeared as a pigmented macula. Usually, the pigmented macular lesions were noticed after middle-age, and coincidentally with its gradual enlargement, its color changed from pale brown to black, while the border of the lesion was either sharp or vague with angular notches. Recognition of these features may facilitate early diagnosis and excision. Additionally, it was found that the degree of proliferation, distribution patterns and extent of atypical melanocytes in the epidermis related correspondingly to the shade variation of the pigmented maculas.