by Kinna A Patel, DPM1, and Anthony J Ferraro, DPM2
The Foot and Ankle Online Journal 8 (1): 1
Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) of the foot and ankle is an aggressive variant of melanoma. More prevalent in patients with darker skin, ALM is often misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated do to its frequent atypical presentation, poor clinical examination and low index of suspicion ultimately leading to a poor prognosis.
Key Words : Acral Lentiginous Melanoma, Verruca, Misdiagnosis, Foot Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Prognosis, plantar wart
ISSN 1941-6806
doi: 10.3827/faoj.2015.0801.0001
Address correspondence to: Kinna Patel, DPM Kinna@temple.edu
1. Department of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL
2. PGY-3, Podiatric Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, West Islip, NY
Cutaneous foot melanoma is rare; it accounts for approximately 1% of all cutaneous melanoma and can be challenging to manage [1]. There are four main variants of cutaneous malignant melanomas (CMMs), superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), lentigo malignant melanoma (LMM), nodular melanoma (NM) and acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). Superficial spreading melanoma accounts for approximately 65% of all melanomas, followed by LMM (27%), NM (7%) and ALM (1%) [1]. When narrowing the spectrum to foot and ankle malignant melanomas, it is estimated that approximately 60% are acral lentiginous melanoma, whereas the remaining 40% fall into the superficial spreading melanoma sub-category [1]. ALM occurs at the same rate in all races but has been demonstrated to account for higher incidence in those of Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern and African populations [2].
Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) clinically can mimic ulcerations, verrucoid lesions, onychomycosis, tinea pedis, subungual hematoma, vascular lesions and infections, amongst other pathology [3].
Compounded with atypical clinical morphologies and unusual sites (digits, palms, soles, dorsal, plantar (volar) aspects of the foot and subungual areas), there is frequently a delay in recognition by both the patient and or clinician. It has been documented that the lag time from initial presentation to diagnosis can be anywhere from 2 months to 30 years with an average of about 13.5 months. The most common reported symptom were enlargement of the lesion (38%) and bleeding (19%) [2]. Of importance to this case review are the misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment associated with ulcerative and verrucoid melanomas of the foot and ankle. Verrucoid melanomas are frequently misdiagnosed as warts and are consequently treated with chemical ablation or cyrotherapy. Melanomas presenting with ulcerative characteristics are often treated with surgical debridement, or other inappropriate treatment due to misdiagnosis [1].
It is estimated that up to one-third of ALM cases may be initially misdiagnosed [1,4]. The typical appearance of melanoma as exhibited by the “ABCDE” rule can be difficult to establish in the foot and ankle especially when the nail apparatus is an area of concern. Lesions of interest should be closely observed and promptly biopsied when diagnostic uncertainty exists and therapeutic modalities fail. As with other forms of melanoma, ALM’s prognosis is determined by the Breslow thickness at the time of diagnosis.
In all of the reviewed case reports, over half of the cases were located on the plantar surface of the foot, with a lesser extent on the subungual region, and even lesser extent in the interdigital spaces [1]. Plantarly, lesion locations were equally distributed between foot, heel, sole and hallux [1]. Consequently, misdiagnosis by the primary treating physician led to a delay in the actual diagnosis and therefore lifesaving treatment. The delay results in the primary reason for the significant depth of the melanoma. Albreski et al reported that half of his reviewed patients in 22 published cases were diagnosed with a Clark level IV or V melanoma, resulting in poor prognosis and outcome.
Case Review
A case was reviewed from Rosen et al at Baylor College of Medicine [5] that included a 42 year old female who presented for a non-healing lesion of the right plantar heel, outstanding for approximately one year. The woman was of Scandinavian descent with no significant past medical history, social history or family history. She denied any trauma to the area. The patient sought treatment from both her primary care physician as well as dermatologist.
The clinical diagnosis of verruca plantaris was made and conservative measures of treatment included routine debridements with cantharidin solution as well as liquid nitrogen cryospray therapy. On the proximal portion of the right heel, a 4.2cm x 3.0cm ulcerated nodule was present post-conservative treatment by the primary care physician and dermatologist. After initial presentation one year ago, the lesion demonstrated a central exophytic granulation-tissue-like-mass as well as peripherally scattered small jet-back foci (Figure 1). The surrounding skin was hypopigmented and appeared macerated.
Figure 1 Clinical appearance of lesion after one year [5].
At this point, a potassium hydroxide preparation was taken from the lesion’s edge to test for any fungal activity. The results were negative, so an elliptical incisional biopsy was taken to include the peripheral white area, the central fleshy material, and a focus of dark pigmentation. Once observed under a microscope, cytologically atypical melanocytes at the basal layer of the epidermis were seen as well as pagetoid spread of melanocytes. Nests of similar atypical melanocytes were found in the papillary and upper reticular dermis. A moderate lymphohistiocytic infiltrate was present at the tumor border (Figure 2).
Figure 2 Histologic appearance of ALM [1].
Complete excision of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanoma. It was found to be 1.3cm thick and invasion of the subcutaneous tissue was present and diagnosed as a Clarks level V. The patient soon presented with pain and shortness of breath secondary to widespread bone and pulmonary metastases. Within the next 6 months, the patient fell to the complications of metastatic disease and radiotherapy and biochemotherapy was not effective.
Discussion
Foot lesions are often neglected by not only patients, but physicians as well. Once discovered, melanoma is never prioritized as a high suspicion. Acral lentiginous melanoma is the most common type of melanoma found in individuals with darkly pigmented skin (natives of Asia, India, Africa, and African-Americans); is also constitutes a smaller proportion of all melanomas found in fair-skinned persons [1]. As seen in the case review, delay of diagnosis by both the primary care physician, as well as the dermatologist, led to a delay in treatment for the melanoma. The most recent survey of ALM indicated that up to one-third may be initially misdiagnosed [1]. In the case reviewed, a lesion on the plantar heel of a Caucasian female mimicked a plantar verruca and was diagnosed as such, even after a year of non-healing. In turn, it led to a year of improper and wrong treatment. Early detection of the melanoma could have altered the prognosis in a life changing way. It is therefore recommended that in all patients age forty and above, regardless of gender or race, a biopsy be performed in all suspected verruca plantaris. In non-healing cases, in patients under the age of forty, a biopsy should be performed almost immediately if any clinical uncertainty exists.
Conclusion
ALM commonly presents in the 6th to 7th decades of life, has a higher incidence in females when compared to males and has a predilection to the plantar surface of the foot (approximately 65%) [2]. When clinical suspicion warrants, the physician should take either an excisional, incisional or punch biopsy of the suspicious lesion. Shave biopsies are contraindicated as they hinder proper pathological assessment of the melanomas depth.
Upon pathological confirmation, the physician should consider prompt referrals to a surgical oncologist and plastic surgeon as the lesion warrants surgical excision. If microscopic thickness of the primary melanoma is < 1.5 mm it is recommended that excision with 1 cm margins are taken, whereas if the microscopic thickness of the primary melanoma is > 1.5 mm, excision with 2 cm margins and sentinel node biopsy should be performed [6].
This paper has highlighted an uncommon yet potentially life threatening lesion. Although commonly atypical, it is important to remain observant of suspicious foot and ankle skin lesions as acral lentiginous melanoma is often misdiagnosed, thereby adversely affecting patient prognosis. Skin lesions require close observation and prompt biopsy if clinical suspicion exists.
Acral lentiginous melanoma, although rare (< 1% of all cutaneous malignant melanomas), can have a devastating prognosis depending upon the Breslow thickness and size of the lesion. It is for these reasons that early recognition by the patient and prompt/accurate diagnosis by the practitioner play such critical roles in overall treatment and patient outcome.
References
- Albreski D, Sloan S, et al. Melanoma of the feet: misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Clinics in Dermatology. 2009;27:556-563
- Bristow I, Acland K, et al. Acral Lentiginous melanoma of the foot and ankle: A case series and review of the literature. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2008;1:11.
- Greenway H, Twersky J, Meads S, Kelley B, et al. Arch Dermatol. April 2007;147:543-544.
- Soon S, Solomon A, Papadopoulos D, Murray D, McAlpine B, Washington C, et al. Acral Lentiginous melanoma mimicking benign disease: The Emory Experience. American Academy of Dermatology. 2003;48:183-8
- Rosen T, et al. Acral Lentiginous melanoma misdiagnosed as verruca plantaris: A case report. Dermatology Online Journal. 2006;12(4):3.
- Tseng J, Tanabe K, Gadd M, Cosimi A, Malt R, Haluska, F, et al. Surgical Management of Primary Cutaneous Melanomas of the Hands and Feet. Annals of surgery. 1997;225(5):544-553.
