title: Diverse presentations of acral melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acral melanoma (AM) is an uncommon melanoma subtype occurring on the palms, soles and nail apparatus. It often lacks the typical features of primary melanoma resulting in delayed diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to raise awareness of AM and promote a high index of clinical suspicion to enable early diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients with AM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of AM is often delayed because its presentation mimics other benign conditions such as fungal infections and ulcers. When lesions that were thought to be benign fail to respond to appropriate therapies, biopsy is critically important to exclude AM or other malignant pathology. Clinician awareness of the diversity of AM presentations, maintaining AM as part of their differential diagnosis and facilitating early biopsy are essential for early diagnosis and improving outcomes in patients with AM.
authors: MBMS, FRACS, Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Division of Surgery, The University of Sydney, NSW.
authors: Robyn P M
authors: RP
authors: Saw
authors: Annette H
authors: AH
authors: Chakera
authors: Jonathan R
authors: JR
authors: Stretch
authors: Rebecca L
authors: RL
authors: Read
mesh_terms: D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis