title: Pigmented macules on palms and soles in Puerto Ricans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One-third of melanomas in Puerto Ricans occur on the skin of palms and soles. This is a study to define the characteristics of melanocytic nevi in those locations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 1,039 patients were randomly examined for pigmented macules on the palms and soles. After informed consent, biopsies of these lesions were done on 67 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the patients, 13% were found to have pigmented macules on the palms and soles. Volar melanocytic macule was the most frequent lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melanocytic nevi occur frequently on volar skin. The criteria for removal of these lesions should not be different from those lesions at other locations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan 00936-5067.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Botet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lugo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007911:Lentigo / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018332:Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*