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Background: Acral melanocytic lesions often pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for many clinicians. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an imaging technique widely used for the assessment of skin cancers. The aim of this review is to explore the applicability of RCM for the diagnosis of nevi and melanoma on the acral sites. Methods: Study selection was conducted based on the application of RCM for acral melanocytic lesions. All types of articles (original articles, short reports, and single case reports) were included in the analysis following PRISMA updated guidelines. Results: The search retrieved 18 papers according to the selection criteria; after removing duplicate records and additional articles by one or more of the exclusion criteria, a total of seven studies were carefully evaluated. Conclusions: RCM seems a valuable and useful additional tool for the diagnosis of acral melanocytic lesions, and its use may decrease the need for invasive procedures to some extent. Visualization of deeper layers may be achieved through mechanical removal of the superficial stratum corneum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acral melanoma (AM) is a subtype of cutaneous melanoma located on the palms, soles, and nails. The pathogenesis of AM involves mechanical stimulation and characteristic tumor-promoting mutations, such as those in the KIT proto-oncogene. Dermoscopy is useful for diagnosing AM, which is characterized by parallel ridge patterns and irregular diffuse pigmentation. Although histopathological confirmation is the gold standard for diagnosing AM, lesions showing minimal histopathological changes should be considered early-stage AM if they clinically resemble it. Recently, immunohistochemical staining of preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma has been recognized as a useful method to distinguish benign from malignant melanocytic tumors. Research reveals that AM is associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment characterized by increased numbers of M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells, alongside a decreased number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Mohs micrographic surgery or digit-sparing wide local excision has been explored to improve quality of life and replace wide local excision or proximal amputation. AM has a worse prognosis than other subtypes, even in the early stages, indicating its inherent aggressiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document summarizes a study titled "Sex Differences in Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of 3617 Cases From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database." The study examines the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) between males and females. The study finds that females with ALM have better overall survival than males, with males presenting more advanced stages of the disease. The study also identifies significant associations between primary site and race/ethnicity for both males and females. The document acknowledges limitations and calls for further research to understand the reasons behind sex differences in melanoma survival. [Extracted from the article]

Limited data describe the epidemiology and risk factors of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). In this retrospective analysis, we examined trends in incidence and mortality of ALM among racial and ethnic minoritized populations. We queried 22 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries for cases of ALM among Hispanics, non-Hispanic Asians or Pacific Islanders (NHAPIs), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) from 2000 through 2020. Age-adjusted incidence and annual percentage changes (APCs) were estimated. Kaplan–Meier curves were stratified by race and ethnicity and compared with log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazard regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, income, urban–rural residence, stage, and treatment. Of 4188 total cases of ALM with complete data, our study cohort was comprised of 792 (18.9%) Hispanics, 274 (6.5%) NHAPIs, 336 (8.0%) NHBs, and 2786 (66.5%) NHWs. The age-adjusted incidence of ALM increased by 2.48% (P < 0.0001) annually from 2000 to 2020, which was driven by rising rates among Hispanics (APC 2.34%, P = 0.001) and NHWs (APC 2.69%, P < 0.0001). Incidence remained stable among NHBs (APC 1.15%, P = 0.1) and NHAPIs (APC 1.12%, P = 0.4). From 2000 through 2020, 765 (18.3%) patients died from ALM. Compared to NHWs, Hispanics, NHAPIs, and NHBs had significantly increased ALM-specific mortality (all P < 0.0001). Unadjusted and adjusted cause-specific mortality modeling revealed significantly elevated risk of ALM-specific mortality among Hispanics (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–1.75; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.38, 95% CI 1.14–1.66), NHAPIs (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.41–2.32; aHR 1.58, 95% CI 1.23–2.04), and NHBs (HR 1.98, 95% CI 1.59–2.47; aHR 2.19, 95% CI 1.74–2.76) (all P < 0.001). Our study finds rising incidence of ALM among Hispanics and NHWs along with elevated risk of ALM-specific mortality among racial and ethnic minoritized populations. Future strategies to mitigate health inequities in ALM are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin cancer is the predominant form of cancer worldwide, including 75% of all cancer cases. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the spectrum-aided visual enhancer (SAVE) in detecting skin cancer. This paper presents the development of a novel algorithm for snapshot hyperspectral conversion, capable of converting RGB images into hyperspectral images (HSI). The integration of band selection with HSI has facilitated the identification of a set of narrow band images (NBI) from the RGB images. This study utilizes various iterations of the You Only Look Once (YOLO) machine learning (ML) framework to assess the precision, recall, and mean average precision in the detection of skin cancer. YOLO is commonly preferred in medical diagnostics due to its real-time processing speed and accuracy, which are essential for delivering effective and efficient patient care. The precision, recall, and mean average precision (mAP) of the SAVE images show a notable enhancement in comparison to the RGB images. This work has the potential to greatly enhance the efficiency of skin cancer detection, as well as improve early detection rates and diagnostic accuracy. Consequently, it may lead to a reduction in both morbidity and mortality rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric longitudinal melanonychia (LM) can exhibit atypical features that mimic red‐flag signs for subungual melanoma in adults and lead to diagnostic uncertainty. Nail biopsy may be unnecessary if clinical inspection and dermoscopy suggest a benign nature. Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase from inception to February 2023 for studies of any design reporting either the number or proportion of clinical and dermoscopic features in at least five children (≤18 years) with LM. Non‐English articles, reviews, and abstracts were excluded. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to collate all existing data. Results: A total of 1218 articles were screened and 24 studies with 1391 pediatric patients were included. Nevus was the most common diagnosis (86.3%). The most prevalent sites were fingernails (76.2%) and first digits (45.4%). Pooled proportions of common features were: dark‐color bands (69.8%), multi‐colored bands (47.6%), broad bandwidth (41.1%), pseudo‐Hutchinson sign (41.0%), irregular patterns (38.1%), Hutchinson sign (23.7%), dots and globules (22.5%), nail dystrophy (18.2%), and triangular sign (10.9%). Outcomes included progression (widening or darkening, 29.9%), stability (23.3%), and spontaneous regression (narrowing or fading, 19.9%). Only eight cases of subungual melanoma in situ were reported, and no invasive melanomas were identified. Conclusion: Although atypical characteristics are common in pediatric LM, the probability of malignant transformation is exceedingly low. Appropriate evaluation and management of pediatric LM includes careful clinical and dermoscopic inspection with attention to benign features followed by long‐term interval follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana is the property of Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomedicas de la Universidad Ricardo Palma and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The early diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) contributes to clinical outcomes since ALM can be mistaken for acral melanocytic nevus (AMN). ALM occurrence is reported to correlate with stress-bearing areas, which may assist in differential diagnoses. Our objective is to evaluate the distribution patterns of ALMs and AMNs on the palms and soles among Taiwanese patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed by reviewing the charts of 1400 patients diagnosed with benign and malignant pigmented lesions confirmed after excisional biopsy at our institution between 2000 and 2022 in Taiwan. Correlations between lesions and clinicopathological factors were analyzed. Results: 309 AMNs and 177 ALMs were included. Mechanical stress was significantly associated with plantar ALMs (weight-bearing area: 92.65 %, arch: 7.35 %, P

Purpose: To construct an effective prognostic nomogram for patients with clinically localized Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). Methods: This retrospective study included ALM patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004–2015. The 1686 cases were divided into the training and internal validation cohorts at a ratio of 7:3. The Cox regression analyses were performed to select risk factors for the nomogram. The performances of the nomogram were evaluated using the concordance index (C-index), area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and calibration plots, and validated in an external multicenter cohort. Results: Age, gender, race, and stage were significantly associated with overall survival (OS), with a C-index of 0.727 and 0.722 in the training and internal validation groups, respectively. The AUC of 2-,4-, and 6 years were higher than or equal to 0.75. Age, gender, race, site, and stage were related to ALM patients' CSS which have better C-index of 0.791 and 0.774 in the training and internal validation set. The AUC of 2-,4-, and 6- were higher than or equal to 0.80. Both survival calibration curves of 2-,4, and 6-year OS and CSS brought out a good consistency. The external multicenter cohort authenticated the value of the nomogram of OS, with a C-index of 0.657 and an AUC of 0.67, 0.72, and 0.65 at 2, 4, and 6 years. Good consistency was also observed. Conclusion: A prognostic nomogram was established and validated to help predict the survival of ALM patients and guide individualized treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) contributes to clinical outcomes since ALM can be mistaken for acral melanocytic nevus (AMN). ALM occurrence is reported to correlate with stress-bearing areas, which may assist in differential diagnoses. Our objective is to evaluate the distribution patterns of ALMs and AMNs on the palms and soles among Taiwanese patients. A retrospective analysis was performed by reviewing the charts of 1400 patients diagnosed with benign and malignant pigmented lesions confirmed after excisional biopsy at our institution between 2000 and 2022 in Taiwan. Correlations between lesions and clinicopathological factors were analyzed. 309 AMNs and 177 ALMs were included. Mechanical stress was significantly associated with plantar ALMs (weight-bearing area: 92.65 %, arch: 7.35 %, P < 0.001). Significant differences in the distribution patterns were observed for plantar ALMs compared with all AMNs (P < 0.001) and non-atypical AMNs (P < 0.001), but were not observed between palmar AMNs and ALMs. Plantar ALMs were most commonly observed on the weight-bearing areas of the soles, distinct from the distribution of all AMNs and of non-atypical AMNs. The distribution features and anatomic mapping of ALMs may facilitate the early clinical diagnosis of ALM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the epidemiological features, clinical characteristics, and pathological characteristics of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and identify prognostic factors. Methods: A total of 149 patients diagnosed with ALM between August 2008 and December 2019 at the National Cancer Center (NCC) of China were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up data on patient survival status were collected. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and statistical significance was assessed using the log-rank test. Additionally, a Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to identify prognostic factors. Results: All patients included in this study were of Chinese ethnicity, with an average age of 52.4 ± 14.8 years (range, 15-80 years) at the time of diagnosis. No gender predilection or genetic susceptibility was observed. The plantar region was the most frequently affected site among primary lesions. Notably, only 17 (11.4%) patients reported a history of trauma. Statistical analysis revealed that a lesion duration of ≤2.5 years, Breslow thickness >4.0 mm, high mitotic rate (>6 mm−2), presence of vascular invasion, and regional lymph node metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that a lesion duration of ≤2.5 years, Breslow thickness >4.0 mm, high mitotic rate (>6 mm−2), presence of vascular invasion, and regional lymph node metastasis are significantly associated with a poorer prognosis for patients with ALM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acral melanocytic lesions often pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for many clinicians. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an imaging technique widely used for the assessment of skin cancers. The aim of this review is to explore the applicability of RCM for the diagnosis of nevi and melanoma on the acral sites. Methods: Study selection was conducted based on the application of RCM for acral melanocytic lesions. All types of articles (original articles, short reports, and single case reports) were included in the analysis following PRISMA updated guidelines. Results: The search retrieved 18 papers according to the selection criteria; after removing duplicate records and additional articles by one or more of the exclusion criteria, a total of seven studies were carefully evaluated. Conclusions: RCM seems a valuable and useful additional tool for the diagnosis of acral melanocytic lesions, and its use may decrease the need for invasive procedures to some extent. Visualization of deeper layers may be achieved through mechanical removal of the superficial stratum corneum.

Copyright of Journal of Zhejiang University: Science B is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Acral melanoma commonly occurs on weight‐bearing areas of the sole. Reconstruction of such areas presents a surgical challenge due to limited availability and mobility of local skin. Thus, we aimed to compare the scar outcome of full‐thickness skin graft (FTSG) and punch grafting in the reconstruction of plantar defects after melanoma surgery. We retrospectively reviewed six patients who underwent both FTSG for nonweight‐bearing areas and punch grafting for weight‐bearing areas. We compared results of FTSG and punch grafting within the same patient. Photos of completely healed scars were graded using the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES). The averages of the FTSG scores and the punch graft scores, as measured by the SBSES, were statistically compared. Punch grafting yielded a better outcome than FTSG, according to the SBSES. The average of the punch grafting scars was 4.67, which was significantly greater (p = 0.004) than that of FTSG scar scores at 1.83. For weight‐bearing areas, punch grafting should be considered as the first option of reconstruction, with FTSG as a second option for nonweight‐bearing areas. Overall, this combined approach provides an effective and safe method for reconstruction of extensive plantar wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin cancer is the predominant form of cancer worldwide, including 75% of all cancer cases. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the spectrum-aided visual enhancer (SAVE) in detecting skin cancer. This paper presents the development of a novel algorithm for snapshot hyperspectral conversion, capable of converting RGB images into hyperspectral images (HSI). The integration of band selection with HSI has facilitated the identification of a set of narrow band images (NBI) from the RGB images. This study utilizes various iterations of the You Only Look Once (YOLO) machine learning (ML) framework to assess the precision, recall, and mean average precision in the detection of skin cancer. YOLO is commonly preferred in medical diagnostics due to its real-time processing speed and accuracy, which are essential for delivering effective and efficient patient care. The precision, recall, and mean average precision (mAP) of the SAVE images show a notable enhancement in comparison to the RGB images. This work has the potential to greatly enhance the efficiency of skin cancer detection, as well as improve early detection rates and diagnostic accuracy. Consequently, it may lead to a reduction in both morbidity and mortality rates.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) provides important prognostic information for early‐stage melanomas. However, statistics regarding the survival comparison between SLNB and nodal observation in Asia, where acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) predominates, are limited. This study aimed to identify if SLNB offered survival benefits over nodal observation in early‐stage melanomas in Taiwan. The retrospective study included 227 patients who met the SLNB criteria according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines and were treated at National Taiwan University Hospital from June 1997 to June 2021. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Of the study population, ALM accounted for 73.1%; 161 patients (70.9%) underwent SLNB and 66 patients (29.1%) were under nodal observation. Multivariate analysis showed significantly improved melanoma‐specific survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.6; p =.02) in the SLNB group. Among those who underwent completion lymph node dissection (CLND), the non‐sentinel node positivity rate was 44.4%. Immediate CLND resulted in significantly longer melanoma‐specific survival and distant‐metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) compared to nodal observation. (HR, 0.2; p =.01 for melanoma‐specific survival. HR, 0.3; p =.046 for DMFS). In conclusion, SLNB may provide survival benefits of cutaneous melanoma over nodal observation in the Taiwanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To contrast the data obtained in a local study with the bibliography on acral lentiginous melanoma available for Latin America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, descriptive study, in which data were collected from all patients with a new diagnosis of melanoma diagnosed in a reference center in Dermatology, in Colombia, from 2011 to 2019. For the cases of acral lentiginous melanoma, sociodemographic, clinical, histology and treatment characteristics were evaluated. Subsequently, a bibliographic review of all the studies that reported the epidemiology of melanoma in Central and South America was carried out. RESULTS: Of 431 confirmed cases of melanoma, 24% corresponded to acral lentiginous melanoma. Of these, 58% were ulcerated and 31% had a minimum Breslow of 4 mm. The mean size was 25 mm. Within the reviewed literature, 10 reports focused specifically on acral lentiginous melanoma were identified. Most of the studies were carried out in Brazil, Peru and Colombia. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing trend in melanoma diagnoses was observed between the years 2011-2019 in the descriptive study. According to the literature, acral lentiginous melanoma corresponds to the most frequent subtype in countries such as Colombia, Peru, Guatemala and Mexico. Superficial spreading melanoma predominates in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a higher incidence of melanoma among White individuals, melanoma-specific survival is worse among individuals with skin of color. Racial disparities in survival are multifactorial. Decreased skin cancer education focused on people with skin of color, lower rates of screening, increased socioeconomic barriers, higher proportions of more aggressive subtypes, and underrepresentation in research and professional education contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Although high, intermittent UV exposure during childhood has been established as a significant modifiable risk factor for melanoma in individuals with lighter skin phototypes, there are limited data on UV exposure and melanoma risk in people with darker skin phototypes. The second article of this continuing medical education series will examine factors contributing to racial disparities in melanoma-specific survival, discuss the role of UV radiation, and address the need for further research and targeted educational interventions for melanoma in individuals with skin of color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is a higher incidence of melanoma among non-Hispanic White individuals, melanoma is diagnosed at more advanced stages and associated with worse survival rates among individuals with skin of color (SOC). The proportions of melanoma subtypes differ across racial groups, with acral lentiginous melanoma and mucosal melanoma representing higher proportions of melanoma diagnoses in individuals with SOC compared to White individuals. The recognition of distinct differences in anatomic locations and dermatoscopic patterns may facilitate the appropriate differentiation of physiologic from pathologic pigmentation. The first article of this continuing medical education series will focus on the epidemiology and clinical presentation of melanoma in individuals with SOC, with the aim of improving early diagnoses and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a subtype of melanoma that primarily affects ethnic minorities and is associated with poor outcomes. Racial inequalities in melanoma survival, particularly between Blacks and Whites, have been well documented in the literature. There are limited data on the role of surgical approach to ALM and its contribution to the existing disparities in ALM survival. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of surgical approach to ALM among Mohs surgeons. The survey was distributed to members of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS), with 43 physicians completing the survey. The results showed that there was no consensus among Mohs surgeons regarding the surgical approach for ALM, even for advanced stages. 74% respondents performed complete circumferential peripheral and deep margin assessment (CCPDMA) for ALM, including Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) or en face staged excision. However, barriers such as limited training, low comfort operating on acral sites, and inadequate access to specialized biopsies were reported. Treatment recommendations varied widely regardless of the ALM stage, with no significant differences based on exposure to ALM during training, practice setting, or percent of skin of color patients served. These findings highlight the lack of guidelines and the need for more data on outcomes to support optimal management of ALM. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing healthcare disparities and improving survival outcomes, particularly for ethnic minorities affected by ALM. Consensus guidelines could help standardize treatment approaches and potentially reduce disparities in ALM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite decreased susceptibility, darker skin individuals who develop melanoma have worse survival. This disparity in melanoma mortality is the largest for any cancer, and partly driven by a lack of patient education materials targeted to darker skin populations in whom acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the most common subtype. To address this communication disparity, the current study reports a multi-phase design process that leverages crowdsourcing and message testing to develop ALM-focused patient education materials for darker skin populations. Crowdsourced design was utilized to develop a pool of designs (phase 1), the pool was narrowed and thematically analyzed (phase 2), and select designs were evaluated via a message experiment (N = 1877). For darker skin populations, designs that depicted people enhanced knowledge of ALM through message memorability. The current study engages melanoma disparities by providing ALM patient education materials for darker skin populations vetted via a multi-phase process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma, the tumor arising from the malignant transformation of pigment-producing cells—the melanocytes—represents one of the most severe cancer types. Despite their rarity compared to cutaneous melanoma, the extracutaneous subtypes such as uveal melanoma (UM), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and mucosal melanoma (MM) stand out due to their increased aggressiveness and mortality rate, demanding continuous research to elucidate their specific pathological features and develop efficient therapies. Driven by the emerging progresses made in the preclinical modeling of melanoma, the current paper covers the most relevant in vitro, in vivo, and in ovo systems, providing a deeper understanding of these rare melanoma subtypes. However, the preclinical models for UM, ALM, and MM that were developed so far remain scarce, and none of them is able to completely simulate the complexity that is characteristic to these melanomas; thus, a continuous expansion of the existing library of experimental models is pivotal for driving advancements in this research field. An overview of the applicability of precision medicine in the management of rare melanoma subtypes is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a type of melanoma that is traditionally seen on the soles of the feet, palms of the hand, and under the fingernails or toenails. It is the least frequently diagnosed melanoma among the four histologic subtypes of cutaneous melanoma, accounting for less than 5% of all cases. ALM is frequently diagnosed at late stages and has higher incidences in non-white populations in relation to the other forms of cutaneous malignant melanoma. The most common sites of metastases in melanoma are the skin and subcutaneous tissue followed by lung, liver, brain, and bone. Bone metastases from malignant melanoma usually occur in patients who already have widespread metastases. We present this paper as a unique case study of ALM lesion in an 84-year-old African American male presenting originally in the base of right fifth toe plantar aspect then found multiple bone metastases without any other organ involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nail apparatus melanoma (NAM) is a rare type of cutaneous melanoma that belongs to the acral melanoma subtype. NAM is managed principally in accordance with the general treatment for cutaneous melanoma, but there is scarce evidence in support of this in the literature. Acral melanoma is genetically different from non-acral cutaneous melanoma, while recently accumulated data suggest that NAM also has a different genetic background from acral melanoma. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the management of NAM. Localized NAM should be surgically removed; amputation of the digit and digit-preserving surgery have been reported. Sentinel lymph node biopsy can be considered for invasive NAM for the purpose of accurate staging. However, it is yet to be clarified whether patients with metastatic sentinel lymph nodes can be safely spared completion lymph node dissection. Similar to cutaneous melanoma, immune checkpoint inhibitors and BRAF/MEK inhibitors are used as the first-line treatment for metastatic NAM, but data on the efficacy of these therapies remain scarce. The therapeutic effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors could be lower for NAM than for cutaneous melanoma. This review highlights the urgent need to accumulate data to better define the optimal management of this rare melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acral lentiginous melanomas account for less than 5% of all melanomas, whereas amelanotic melanomas account for around 2-8% of all melanomas. Amelanotic acral lentiginous melanomas are even less common and can often be mistaken for other clinical entities, including pyogenic granulomas, non-melanoma skin cancers, and warts. We describe a man in his 50s with a twenty-year history of a skin-colored plaque on the right plantar foot; after enlargement and failure of wart treatment, a shave biopsy revealed an amelanotic melanoma. A subsequent wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy revealed melanoma in 4 lymph nodes and the patient underwent an abbreviated course of interferon-alpha therapy. The patient remained stable until 2 ? years after diagnosis, at which time he presented with in-transit metastases on the foot and right thigh; he has since been stable on nivolumab. This case represents the challenge of diagnosing amelanotic melanomas on acral surfaces and highlights the importance of considering a skin biopsy for diagnosis of any changing, atypical amelanotic lesions on the feet or hands.

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is the predominant prognostic factor in patients diagnosed with clinically localized melanoma. The significance of completion lymph node dissection in patients with SLN metastasis is debatable. Not many studies have been conducted on acrallentiginous melanoma (ALM). This study aimed to characterize the prognostic factors of nodal positive ALM and confirm whether ALM patients can undergo the same treatment strategy as non-ALM patients in the Asian population. Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent surgery for cutaneous melanoma (CM) at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between January 1993 and December 2019. We investigated the risk factors for lymph node status. The association between clinicopathological factors and lymph node status of ALM and non-ALM patients was analyzed. Outcomes of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) performed following sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the CM and ALM groups were compared. Results: A total of 197 patients were included in this study. ALM was the most common histological subtype, accounting for 66.5% of all the cases. Patients in the CM and ALM subgroups with metastatic SLN (p = 0.012) or lymph nodes (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001) exhibited higher mortality rate. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with clinical presentation of T4 category tumor (p = 0.012) and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.012) had a significantly higher risk of positive lymph nodes. The overall survival of patients with lymph nodes metastasis was not associated with the performance of CLND. Conclusion: Patients in the CM or ALM subgroups with metastatic SLNs or lymph nodes exhibited significantly poorer overall survival. Advanced Breslow thickness and lymphovascular invasion were independent predictive factors for CM and ALM patients with positive lymph node status. There was no significant difference in survival between CM and ALM patients following SLNB, regardless of CLND being performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: Antecedentes y objetivo: El melanoma lentiginoso acral (MLA) se presenta en zonas con poca exposición a la radiación ultravioleta. Se ha planteado que el trauma crónico puede predisponer a su desarrollo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue relacionar la presencia del MLA y sus características con las zonas acrales que se consideran de presión y de no presión. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, con intención analítica. Se recogieron los datos de 95 pacientes con diagnóstico de MLA evaluados en la Fundación Clínica Vida en Medellín, Colombia, entre enero de 2016 y agosto de 2020. Se recolectaron variables demográficas, histológicas y clínicas del tumor, las cuales se analizaron en dos grupos, según si estaba sometida a fuerzas de presión o no. Resultados: Se incluyeron 95 pacientes con MLA (36 hombres y 59 mujeres), con una mediana de edad de 59 años. Se presentaron más melanomas en las zonas de presión que de no presión (58 [61%] vs. 17 [17,8%]). Se refirió la existencia de un trauma directo previo en 18,9% de los casos, el cual fue más frecuente en las lesiones de las uñas (p = 0,025). Los melanomas invasores tuvieron un mayor Breslow (p = 0,006) y presencia de ulceración (p = 0,018) en las zonas de presión y en las uñas que en las zonas de no presión. Conclusiones: El MLA es más frecuente en zonas de presión que de no presión, tanto en la mano como en el pie. Esto apoya la hipótesis de que el estrés mecánico puede jugar un papel en la patogénesis de este tipo de tumor. Abstract: Background and objective: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) arises in areas that are not generally exposed to UV radiation. Chronic trauma has been hypothesized to play a role in the development of this tumor. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the presence and characteristics of ALM and location in stress- and non–stress-bearing areas. Material and methods: Observational, descriptive analysis. For 95 patients with ALM evaluated at Fundación Clínica Vida in Medellin, Colombia between January 2016 and August 2020 we collected demographic, histologic and clinical variables and assigned the patients to 2 groups depending on whether their tumor was located in a stress-bearing area or not. Results: Ninety-five patients (36 men and 59 women) with a median age of 59 years were studied. ALMs were more common in stress-bearing areas than in non–stress-bearing areas (58 [61%] vs. 17 [17.8%]). A history of direct trauma at the site of the tumor was reported in 18.9% of the cases (p = .025) and was most common in patients with nail lesions. Invasive ALMs in stress-bearing areas had a greater Breslow thickness (p = .006) and higher ulceration rates than those in non–stress-bearing areas (p = .018). Conclusions: ALM on both the feet and hands is more common in stress-bearing areas. Our findings support the hypothesis that mechanical stress may have a pathogenic role in ALM.

Tingting Yin,1,&ast; Yuhui Zhao,1,&ast; Ying Yang,1 Huaxiu Xu,1 Dongxiang Zheng,2 Jun Lyu,3 Guanglei Fu4 1School of Nursing, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Clinical Research Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Infectious Disease Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jun LyuClinical Research Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13922274169Email lyujun2020@jnu.edu.cnGuanglei FuInfectious Disease Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 18922217029Email 1623805741@qq.comBackground: The objective of this study was to establish a nomogram for predicting the overall survival (OS) of patients with acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM).Materials and Methods: The study sample was selected from 1785 patients diagnosed with ALM from 2004 to 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and R software was used to divide patients into the training cohort and validation cohort at a ratio of 7: 3. Stepwise selection method in the Cox regression model was used in the training cohort to select predictive variables to construct the nomogram, and model validation parameters were used in the validation cohort to evaluate the performance of the nomogram.Results: The nomogram showed that age at diagnosis had the greatest impact on OS in patients with ALM, followed by AJCC stage, surgical treatment, SEER stage, sex, race, and marital status. The index of concordance, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration plots, net reclassification improvement, integrated discrimination improvement, and decision curve analysis demonstrate the good performance of this nomogram.Conclusion: The prognostic value of the nomogram is superior to that of the AJCC staging system alone, and it helps clinicians to better predict 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS in patients with ALM.Keywords: acral lentiginous melanoma, nomogram, overall survival, SEER

Adjuvant nivolumab therapy has been reported to improve the survival of melanoma patients. Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) has been reported to be less likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) than other subtypes. However, the efficacy of adjuvant nivolumab therapy for ALM patients remains uncertain due to the low number of cases. In this single‐center retrospective case series, we analyzed the clinical data of patients with resected stage III/IV ALM who were referred to our department between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2022. The analyzed clinical data included age, sex, TNM stage, treatments, adverse events and disease‐free survival (DFS). Enrolled patients were divided into a nivolumab group and a non‐ICI group according to the adjuvant therapy they received. In total, 27 patients were included. The nivolumab and non‐ICI groups had 5 and 22 patients, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. There were no serious treatment‐related adverse events in the non‐ICI group, but one patient in the nivolumab group developed type 1 diabetes. In the survival analysis, the DFS for the nivolumab group did not exceed that of the non‐ICI group in postoperative adjuvant therapy for ALM patients. Given that adjuvant nivolumab therapy sometimes results in serious adverse effects, the administration of the therapy may need to be carefully considered, especially for ALM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Melanoma is an aggressive cutaneous cancer. Acral lentiginous melanoma is a melanoma subtype arising on palms, soles, and nail-units. The incidence, prevalence and prognosis differ among populations. The link between expression of major histocompatibility complex Class II alleles and melanoma progression is known. However, available studies report variable results regarding the association of melanoma with specific HLA Class II loci. Aims The aim of the study was to determine HLA Class II allele frequencies in acral lentiginous melanoma patients and healthy Mexican Mestizo individuals. Methods Eighteen patients with acral lentiginous melanoma and 99 healthy controls were recruited. HLA Class II typing was performed based on the sequence-specific oligonucleotide method. Results Three alleles were associated with increased susceptibility to develop acral lentiginous melanoma, namely: HLA-DRB1*13:01; pC = 0.02, odds ratio = 6.1, IC95% = 1.4-25.5, HLA-DQA1*01:03; pC = 0.001, odds ratio = 9.3, IC95% = 2.7-31.3 and HLA-DQB1*02:02; pC = 0.01, odds ratio = 3.7, IC95% = 1.4-10.3. Limitations The small sample size was a major limitation, although it included all acral lentiginous melanoma patients seen at the dermatology department of Dr. Manuel Gea González General Hospital during the study period. Conclusion HLA-DRB1*13:01, HLA-DQB1*02:02 and HLA-DQA*01:03 alleles are associated with increased susceptibility to develop acral lentiginous melanoma in Mexican Mestizo patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background OPN3 upregulation associated with metastasis was recently described in two subtypes of lung cancers. And OPN3 identified in light‐independent functions in epidermal melanocytes has already shown promise. However, in malignant melanocytic tissues, the expression and characterization of OPN3 remain uncharacterized. Objectives We investigated the clinico‐histopathologic features in relation to OPN3 expression of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), which is a rare cutaneous melanoma subtype and not associated with prior sunlight exposure. Methods In all, 84 samples of junctional melanocytic nevi (JMN, n = 12), primary ALMs (n = 39) and inguinal lymph node metastasis (ILNM, n = 23) from ALMs were evaluated for the immunohistochemical expression of OPN3. OPN3 messenger RNA and protein level were further determined in melanocytic tumors using quantitative real‐time PCR, multiimmunofluorescence and Western blot assays. We also estimated the associations OPN3 expression between clinicopathological features and prognosis. Results ILNMs, in contrast to JMN and ALMs, had higher OPN3 expression scores (p