Subungual melanoma C43.L

1-2% of all malignant melanomas

The first clinical sign is the longitudinal stripe-like melanonychia (see also there for differential diagnosis), often accompanied by a periungual hyperpigmentation ( Hutchinson sign).

Progressive growth of the pigment tumor leads to a grey-black discoloration of the nail and later to a clumsy lifting and destruction of the nail plate.

In about 30% of cases amelanotic subungual melanomas develop. These are less painful, reddish tumors with a destroyed or lifted nail plate. Also missing is the otherwise obligatory longitudinal stripping of the nail plate.

Helpful for the clinical classification of a subungual melanoma is the ABC rule defined by Levit EK et al:

• A = Age, higher age, 5th-7th decade
• B = Pigmented band: band-shaped pigmentation, brown-black, >0,3cm (see fig.)
• C = Change: recent rapid change in width and/or nail plate morphology
• D = Single digit involvement: concerns only 1 nail, most often thumb, followed by big toe or index finger
• E = Extension of the pigment into the perinychium (Hutchinson sign)
• F = Family history (melanoma, dysplastic nevi syndrome)

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