Research Article

A comprehensive analysis of subungual melanomas in a tertiary center: Is amputation outmoded?

Volume: 62 Number: 1 March 15, 2023
  • Mehmet Emre Yeğin *
  • Vasif Mammadov
  • Ege Topaloğlu
  • Ersin Gür
  • Yiğit Özer Tiftikcioğlu
  • Tahir Gürler
EN TR

A comprehensive analysis of subungual melanomas in a tertiary center: Is amputation outmoded?

Abstract

Aim: Subungual melanoma is a rare entity. The literature lacks information about its treatment. Alternative treatments exist; amputation or wide local excision (WLE), with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This study discusses the classical approach for subungual melanoma and compares it with the alternatives. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of subungual melanoma cases between 2008 and 2020 in a tertiary center was done. Results: Thirteen patients were found to have subungual melanoma. Amputation and SLNB were the treatment of choice in 12 patients with invasive diseases. In one patient with a in-situ illness, WLE and SLNB were applied. Mean Breslow thickness was found to be 4.2 mm. The preoperative evaluation showed no signs of metastases in 10 patients, and these patients had SLNB. Two patients had pathological lymph node characteristics in the preoperative evaluation and had elective lymph node dissection (ELND) without SLNB. The mean follow-up was six years, and seven patients died during the follow-ups. Six patients died of natural causes, while one died of systemic disease. Conclusion: Subungual melanoma is a disease that can be controlled with amputation. WLE can be used in in-situ melanomas, but amputation is still a good choice for invasive illnesses.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mehmet Emre Yeğin *
Türkiye

Vasif Mammadov
Türkiye

Ege Topaloğlu
Türkiye

Ersin Gür
Türkiye

Yiğit Özer Tiftikcioğlu
Türkiye

Tahir Gürler
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 15, 2023

Submission Date

May 23, 2022

Acceptance Date

October 3, 2022

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 62 Number: 1

Vancouver
1.Mehmet Emre Yeğin, Vasif Mammadov, Ege Topaloğlu, Ersin Gür, Yiğit Özer Tiftikcioğlu, Tahir Gürler. A comprehensive analysis of subungual melanomas in a tertiary center: Is amputation outmoded? EJM. 2023 Mar. 1;62(1):134-8. doi:10.19161/etd.1262595

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