title: Controversies in acral lentiginous melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a subtype of melanoma initially described only two and half decades ago, but well-recognized by dermatologists today. However, several areas of controversy surround this entity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary aims of this article are to review the literature, highlight recent advances, and review some of the ongoing controversies in ALM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the English language literature was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Controversy continues to surround ALM, particularly in regard to diagnostic histologic and clinical criteria. This leads to difficulties when reviewing studies that evaluate the epidemiology, etiology, and prognosis of ALM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Progress in understanding ALM requires the development of standardized diagnostic criteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stalkup
authors.forename: Ida F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Orengo
authors.forename: Rajani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Katta
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy