title: Characteristics and Treatment of Cutaneous Melanoma of the Foot.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In East Asia, the foot is the most common site of cutaneous melanoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between cutaneous melanoma of the foot and melanomas of other sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 52 patients who underwent surgical treatment for cutaneous melanoma of the foot from September 2000 to January 2015. Through a retrospective review of their medical records, we collected data relating to their sex, age, histopathological subtype, Clark level, tumor thickness, lymph node involvement, stage, and survival rate, and we compared these parameters to those of 61 patients treated for melanoma of other sites. Moreover, we analyzed the surgical procedures, complications, and mortality rates associated with cutaneous melanoma on various parts of the foot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Melanoma of the foot differed from other melanomas only in the histopathological subtype. Other clinical features, including survival rate, did not differ significantly between the two groups heel was the most common site of melanoma of the foot (22 cases, 42.3%). The method of reconstruction varied depending on the region involved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comparison of melanoma of the foot to other melanomas showed that melanoma of the foot was associated with a significantly different distribution of histological subtypes. Consistent with previous findings, we found that the acral lentiginous subtype was the most common among melanomas of the foot. Furthermore, in contrast with previous studies, we did not find a worse prognosis or lower survival rate for melanoma of the foot in comparison with other melanomas.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors: Kyung Wook
authors: KW
authors: Nam
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.; Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors: Yong Chan
authors: YC
authors: Bae
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors: Soo Bong
authors: SB
authors: Nam
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors: Joo Hyung
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors: Hoon Soo
authors: HS
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors: Young Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Choi
keywords: Foot; Melanoma; Skin neoplasms