Amelanotic Melanoma Concealed by Psoriasis

Acta Derm Venereol. 2020 Mar 12;100(6):adv00082. doi: 10.2340/00015555-3397.

Abstract

Amelanotic melanoma (AM) is a rare subtype of cutaneous melanoma that lacks melanin pigment. Clinical diagnosis of AM is challenging because it may mimic benign or malignant melanocytic and non-melanocytic neoplasms and inflammatory skin diseases. Completely amelanotic melanomas are rare, but approximately 2-8% of all melanomas lack pigment or are sparsely pigmented (1, 2). AM often present a particular diagnostic challenge due to their inconspicuous appearance and lack of the classical, well-recognized characteristics and clues found in pigmented lesions (3). In particular, when concealed by an inflammatory dermatosis, such as psoriasis, AM can remain undiagnosed for a long time (4). We describe here, to our knowledge, the first case of AM concealed by psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dermoscopy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma, Amelanotic / pathology*
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Methotrexate