TWO CASES OF SUBUNGUAL MELANOMA OF THE THUMB IN SITU

Subungual melanoma is a distinct subtype of cutaneous malignant melanoma arising from structures within the nail apparatus, which is relatively rare. Histological diagnosis is the most definitive means of identifying such a lesion and can prevent significant morbidity and mortality. Suspicious signs to be aware of are pigmentation of the nail folds (Hutchinson's sign). Early detection of malignant melanoma is essential to improve treatment outcomes and prognosis. We report two cases of subungual melanoma. Both patients underwent excision of the entire lesion with disarticulation at the interphalangeal joint. The resected margins were found to be free of tumor tissue. The aim of our study is to highlight the typical presentation and clinical features, which help in the early diagnosis and management of subungual melanoma.