Manifestations of subnail melanoma

Subungual melanoma often presents as a black nail line with destruction of the nail plate and vesicular ulceration. A black nail line is a longitudinal black nail that appears as a longitudinally distributed pigmented band on the nail plate that extends from the nail matrix to the distal nail plate and may involve a single or multiple nails. Early-stage subnail melanoma often presents as a single, highly heterogeneous nail black line of color. The lesion is usually wide, involves most of the nail, and is often heterogeneous in color, with dark and light pigmented bands interspersed with each other, and with ill-defined margins. The lesions may involve the surrounding skin, especially the proximal nail folds and distal subnail skin, and may be accompanied by destruction of the nail plate, forming erosions and ulcers. Subungual melanoma is most common in adults, solitary, and preferred in the thumb and first toenail. If there is any discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention and follow the doctor’s instructions.