Risk Factors Contributing to a Delay in Diagnosis of a Subungual Melanoma

 

Risk factors associated with a delay in diagnosis of a subungual malignant melanoma:

(1) ignorance about its clinical features

(2) misdiagnosis (see below)

(3) repeated attempts to treat topically

(4) amelanotic melanoma, with lack of pigmentation

(5) absence of nail deformity during the radial growth phase

 

Additional risk factor would be:

(6) keeping the affected nail covered, with nail polish, gloves or socks.

(7) failure to carefully examine the nails

 

The nail lesion may be misdiagnosed as:

(1) onychomycosis

(2) subungual hematoma

(3) whitlow or felon

(4) verruca

(5) pyogenic granuloma

(6) hemangioma

(7) nevus

(8) paronychia

(9) ingrown toenail

(10) squamous cell carcinoma