Longitudinal Melanonychia: Differences in Etiology Are Associated with Patient Age at Diagnosis
Journal
Dermatology
Journal Volume
233
Journal Issue
6
Pages
446-455
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) may occur as a result of nail apparatus melanoma. Knowledge of etiology plays an important role in the management of LM. Objectives: The study is aimed to compare the diagnosis of LM in different age groups. Methods: We collected 63 cases (45 adults and 18 children) with LM who underwent nail matrix biopsy or excision in a 21-year cohort and assessed their clinicopathological features. Results: Melanomas in adults and children were 40% and none, while nevi accounted for 15.6% in adults and 94.4% in children. There was a statistically significant difference between the average age at diagnosis for melanoma (54.5 ± 13.3 years) and nevus (15.2 ± 18.5 years). Logistic regression related the occurrence of melanoma to older ages with a relative risk of 1.2 compared to nevus, but no cutoffs between age groups could be de? fined between LM-Associated nevus and melanoma. Conclusion: The adult group has a significantly higher risk of melanoma, while children with LM show mostly nonmelanoma etiologies. Tissue proof is more warranted in adult cases, and it is needed in selected cases of children with LM. ? 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel. Copyright: All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
eosin; hematoxylin; melan A; melanin; adolescent; adult; Article; atypical melanocytic hyperplasia; band width; basal cell; cell proliferation; clinical feature; cohort analysis; comparative study; compound nevus; cutaneous parameters; dermoepidermal junction; differential diagnosis; epidermis; excision; female; finger nail; groups by age; hallux; histopathology; human; human tissue; Hutchinson sign; hyperpigmentation; hyperplasia; incontinentia pigmenti; index finger; intradermal nevus; junctional nevus; lentigo; longitudinal melanonychia; major clinical study; male; melanocyte; melanogenesis; melanoma; melanotic macule; middle aged; middle finger; nail; nail color; nail disease; nail dystrophy; nail matrix biopsy; nevus; priority journal; ring finger; risk factor; sex difference; skin biopsy; thumb; toe nail; triangular sign; aged; biopsy; child; complication; hyperpigmentation; infant; melanoma; nail disease; newborn; onset age; pathology; pigmented nevus; preschool child; skin tumor; young adult; Adolescent; Adult; Age of Onset; Aged; Biopsy; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Hyperpigmentation; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Nail Diseases; Nails; Nevus, Pigmented; Skin Neoplasms; Young Adult
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Type
journal article