Acral Amelanotic Melanoma Mimicking a Non-Healing Arterial Ulcer

Abstract

Acral melanomas contribute to approximately 2–3% of melanomas but are commonly misdiagnosed due to their rarity, subtlety at onset and tendency to display amelanotic features. This case report describes a 70-year-old male with an amelanotic melanoma misdiagnosed as a non-healing arterial ulcer. Histopathology demonstrated a Breslow 2.3 mm, Clark level IV acral lentiginous melanoma, which was definitively managed with surgical intervention. This case report highlights the importance of considering melanoma in the differential diagnosis of non-healing ulcers.

Keywords

• Acral melanoma
• Amelanotic melanoma
• Non-healing arterial ulcer misdiagnosis