Acral lentiginous melanoma is a type of skin cancer that commonly affects dark-skinned people and is usually found in areas with less hair growth. It is often asymptomatic and diagnosed late. Genetics may increase the risk, and sun exposure does not play a role. Symptoms vary depending on the affected site, and diagnosis is made through physical examination and biopsy. Treatment varies depending on the growth’s invasiveness, and amputation may be necessary to prevent metastasis.
Acral lentiginous melanoma is a form of skin cancer that commonly affects people with dark skin. It is usually found in areas of the body where there is less hair growth, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, under the fingernails and toenails, and in the mucous membranes. The condition is usually asymptomatic or has no symptoms at all and is often diagnosed late in a person’s life. Patients with acral lentiginous melanoma frequently observe dark spots on the skin, which look like a bruise.
Dark-skinned people, especially Africans, Asians, and Black North Americans, are more prone to developing this type of skin cancer. There is equal occurrence in men and women. The disease can affect any age group, however, acral lentiginous melanoma is most often diagnosed during the sixth or seventh decade of life.
The cause of acral lentiginous melanoma is still unknown, although genetics may play a large role in increasing a person’s risk of cancer. A person with a family history of cancer generally has a higher chance of developing any form of cancer. Unlike other forms of skin cancer, however, sun exposure does not appear to play a role in the development of acral lentiginous melanoma.
Symptoms of the disease often depend on the affected site on the body. In the nails, dark streaks unrelated to trauma and separation of the nails from the nail beds are usually the first manifestations of the disorder. When it occurs in the palms and soles, it is first seen as a brownish discoloration that does not seem to go away. Acral lentiginous melanoma can also develop within the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, anus, external genitals, and eyes. Nosebleed, a feeling of fullness inside the nose and the presence of a pigmented lump inside the mouth are some symptoms of its presence in the mucous membranes.
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with acral lentiginous melanoma, although the patient may also choose to see an oncologist. Diagnosis is usually made through various ways, such as a careful physical examination of the moles noting irregularly shaped borders, a sudden growth in size, and changes in color. A tissue biopsy is also done by taking a sample of skin from the affected area to determine how deep the melanoma is. Other diagnostic tools used are X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) to monitor the tumor’s growth rate and exact location.
Treatment for acral lentiginous melanoma varies depending on how invasive the growth has become. For smaller melanomas under the skin, excision is usually used without the need for other treatments. If it is a large melanoma, excision is still done, but additional treatments are also provided. Amputation of fingers or toes may also be done to prevent spread, or metastasis, to other parts of the body.
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