Common Causes And Risk Factors For Subungual Melanoma

Subungual melanoma is a form of cancer that begins in the cells of the skin lining the underside of an individual's fingernail. Subungual melanoma can go undetected before it spreads to other parts of the body because it occurs in a location not exposed to excessive sunlight and appears similar to normal bruising of the fingernail. This type of cancer usually begins as a dark-colored streak under the toenail or fingernail. The streaks will increase in size and not move up as the nail grows. The affected fingernail or toenail may separate from the nail bed, develop a nodule, bleed, crack, or become distorted. Diagnosis of subungual melanoma is made by eliminating onychomycosis, paronychia, pyogenic granuloma, and squamous cell carcinoma. A biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. More tests will be run to determine if and how much the subungual melanoma has spread.