Acral Lentiginous Melanoma of the Foot and Ankle: A Case Series
Author Information
Author(s): Bristow Ivan R, Acland Katharine
Primary Institution: School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
Hypothesis
What are the common clinical factors associated with acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) diagnosed at the ankle or below?
Conclusion
Earlier diagnosis of ALM requires education at both a patient and practitioner level.
Supporting Evidence
- 27 cases of ALM were identified over a six-year period.
- 33% of patients were initially misdiagnosed.
- The average time from recognition to correct diagnosis was around 13.5 months.
- 62% of lesions were located on the plantar surface.
Takeaway
Acral lentiginous melanoma is a rare type of skin cancer that can appear on the foot, and it often gets misdiagnosed, so it's important for both patients and doctors to be aware of it.
Methodology
A retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with ALM at a tertiary skin tumour centre over a six-year period.
Potential Biases
Data collected from a tertiary center may introduce bias as it may only include more complex cases.
Limitations
The study is based on a small cohort from a tertiary care center, which may not represent the general population.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of 20 females and 7 males, with a mean age of 62.7 years, predominantly white.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
RR = 6.3 (95% CI 2.5–15.6) for high mole count as a risk factor.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website