If you notice a dark spot under your nail, it’s probably a good idea to see a dermatologist. It could be a type of melanoma, according to the medical journal Medical Xpress.
“It’s a rare disease, and it’s scary that it’s rare because a lot of people don’t think to check their nails,” says Lauren Koltz, who was treated at the Cleveland Clinic, where doctors performed surgery to remove the cancerous tumor under her nail, along with surrounding tissue to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Subungual melanoma, which occurs under the fingernails or toenails, is a rare but serious type of skin cancer that typically isn’t caused by sun exposure.
It usually appears as a dark spot or discoloration under the nail. This type of melanoma can affect people of all races, ethnicities, and ages. If detected early and confined to the top layer of the skin, the prognosis is better and treatment is less invasive.
Koltz says he initially attributed the brown mark on his nail to a vitamin deficiency and dismissed the possibility of anything serious. Now, he is grateful to his doctor for detecting the melanoma early, allowing it to be surgically removed. Subungual melanoma is a type of acral lentiginous melanoma that develops in areas of the body not exposed to the sun, particularly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
“It’s a rare disease, but also potentially more aggressive,” said Dr. Paul Benedetto, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
Benedetto sees several patients each year at his Coral Springs office with melanoma under their fingernails or toenails. He has treated cases of acral lentiginous melanoma and notes that even a small brown spot on the hands or feet can be a warning sign of skin cancer.
Dermatologists emphasize that regular screenings are essential for the prevention and early detection of melanoma and other types of skin cancer. The Miami Cancer Institute’s Skin Cancer Clinic offers full-body scans using the Vectra 3D device, which captures detailed images and creates a body map, enabling specialists to examine and track lesions or other skin abnormalities and accurately assess changes over time. Vectra can also take close-up dermatoscopic images of suspicious lesions for more detailed evaluation and early cancer detection. Insurance typically does not cover the cost of a Vectra 3D scan, which is approximately $595.
