Amelanotic melanoma: the great masquerader.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous melanoma is often recognized by its dark color, but some tumors have little or no pigmentation.


OBJECTIVE
We present the clinical findings of 4 cases of primary cutaneous amelanotic melanoma in which the clinical diagnosis was unsuspected and one case of amelanotic metastatic melanoma.


METHODS
Five cases of melanoma are reviewed. The clinical morphology of the lesions is presented and discussed. We surveyed the literature regarding conditions that mimic amelanotic melanoma, and we discuss the treatment and prognosis for amelanotic melanoma.


RESULTS
Amelanotic melanoma may masquerade as a variety of other conditions leading to a delay in the diagnosis or an inappropriate biopsy technique. The prognosis of amelanotic primary tumors is no different from that for its pigmented counterpart.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinician should be familiar with the presentation of amelanotic melanoma to facilitate prompt diagnosis.
Koch
S E
SE
Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA.
Lange
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018328:Melanoma, Amelanotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology