Dermatológia pre prax 1/2024

Treatment of the nail unit melanoma

The nail unit melanoma (NUM) is an unusual form of melanoma. The nail unit melanoma is diagnosed very offen in the later stages. Approximately two-thirds of NUM present clinically as longitudinal melanonychia, which has a broad differential diagnosis. It typically occurs in older people. Surgical eradication is the mainstay in the treatment of the nail unit melanoma. In selected patients with a high risk of metastases, postoperative adjuvant systemic therapy can be considered. Surgical procedures in the treatment of nail melanoma are challenging due to the unique anatomy of the nail apparatus, the tendency for rapid horizontal growth, the short distance of the matrix from the bone and frequent irregular borders.

Keywords: melanoma, nail unit melanoma, surgical treatment of melanoma