Most neoplasms of the nail apparatus have different clinical appearances, courses, and biological behaviors as compared with similar tumors located elsewhere on the skin. Some of these tumors are unique to the nail, such as onychomatricoma. As a general rule, benign lesions respect the general architecture of the nail apparatus, whereas malignant ones are destructive. Our review covers the most common nail tumors, from benign ones to the most frequent nail malignancy, the squamous cell carcinoma, which actually is the greatest simulator. We will also discuss new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma of the nail apparatus. Physicians should be aware of these conditions and their management.
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