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subungual melanoma occurs most commonly in middle-aged and older adults with darker skin, according to the canadian dermatology association . the condition, which is often mistaken for a bruise from a stubbed toe, is relatively common compared to other skin cancers and can become a serious concern if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes or organs.
if you notice signs of a subungual melanoma below the surface of a nail, you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
because subungual melanomas form in the nail matrix (the area where nails begin to grow), they differ in appearance from the irregular-shaped moles caused by other melanomas. diagnosis can be difficult, according to healthline , because not all cases of the disease result in pigmentation changes to the nail and, when they do, these changes can be mistaken for other things. diagnosis is aided by the fact that subungual melanomas usually affect only one nail at a time. symptoms, when they appear, can include:
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research has shown that subungual melanoma accounts for just one to three per cent of all melanomas , with a median patient age of 59. the disease appears more commonly under fingernails than toenails, with the thumb and big toe most frequently affected. a subungual melanoma can occur any time after puberty and preceding trauma has been identified as a trigger for the condition.
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for more information about melanomas, subungual or otherwise, check out the canadian dermatology association , the melanoma network of canada , or the calgary skin cancer centre .
