Acral lentiginous melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma is a form of cutaneous melanoma. It is seen on the palms, soles and under the nails. This is the most common form of melanoma in Asians and blacks. The average age at diagnosis is in the 7th decade.

The microscopic hallmarks are

• atypical melanocytes in junctional nests
• dermal invasion
• desmoplasia
• hyperplastic epidermis