Amelanotic melanomas are often diagnosed at an advanced stage

Ugeskr Laeger. 2023 Apr 24;185(17):V10220605.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

In this case report, a 62-year-old woman was diagnosed with lymph node metastasis from melanoma in the groin. Initially the primary tumour was unknown. The entire skin was examined without any suspicious moles. A PET-CT scan showed an area on the left heel with increased activity. The element surprisingly showed an amelanotic melanoma. Amelanotic melanomas have a significantly worse prognosis compared to pigmented melanomas, presumably because they are detected later and may be very difficult to detect clinically. This case shows the importance of paying attention to unpigmented elements when searching for a primary tumour.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma, Amelanotic* / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Prognosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Skin Neoplasms* / surgery