title: Effective detection of plantar malignant melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the sole of the foot is the most prevalent site of malignant melanoma in non-Caucasians, early detection of the neoplasm at this anatomical site is very important. In our previous study, we proposed a clinical guideline that acquired melanocytic lesions on the sole larger than 7 mm in maximum diameter should be examined histologically.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-one Japanese patients with the complaint of plantar pigmented lesions were screened at our dermatology clinic during 3 years using the 7-mm criterion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total 80 melanocytic lesions on the sole, 14 lesions were larger than 7 mm in maximum diameter, excluding congenital lesions. Diagnoses of the 14 "large" lesions were as follows: advanced malignant melanoma, 8 lesions; early malignant melanoma (malignant melanoma in situ), 1 lesion; acquired melanocytic nevus, 4 lesions, and volar melanotic macule, 1 lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study confirmed the validity of the 7-mm criterion for the early effective detection of plantar malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saida
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tokuda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008548:Melanosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018330:Nevus, Intradermal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D011693:Purpura / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology