Multiple primary acral melanomas in two young caucasian patients

Dermatology. 2014;228(4):307-10. doi: 10.1159/000362207. Epub 2014 Jun 13.

Abstract

Background: Acral melanoma (AM) is still one of the most poorly studied melanomas. It generally presents beyond the fifth decade of life and usually is a BRAF wild-type melanoma.

Objective: To report the first cases of multiple primary AM in Caucasians.

Methods: Clinical, dermoscopic, pathological and molecular profiles.

Results: A healthy 34- year-old male presented an in situ subungual melanoma on his finger, and 22 months later a fast-growing nodular melanoma appeared in an existing nevus on the sole. Both melanomas carried the V600E BRAF mutation. A 19-year-old female patient presented 2 in situ melanomas on different parts of her left foot within a 6-year period of time. The patients have neither familiar melanoma nor germline mutations in CDKN2A/CDK4 genes.

Conclusion: Multiple AM in Caucasians is very rare. BRAF mutations are possible, especially in a high-risk set of patients with multiple nevi. Specific acral examination must be recommended since AM still suffers delayed detection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / genetics
  • Female
  • Fingers*
  • Foot
  • Foot Diseases / genetics
  • Foot Diseases / pathology*
  • Genes, p16
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • White People
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4