The Prognosis of Nail Apparatus Melanoma: 20 Years of Experience from a Single Institute

Introduction and Objectives: Nail apparatus melanoma (NAM) is an uncommon tumor, especially in Caucasians. The prognosis of patients affected by NAM was analyzed and correlated with the histopathological criteria and the surgical management of the tumors. Materials and Methods: We collected data regarding NAM referred to the Skin Cancer Unit of the Dermatology Department of the University of Bologna, from 1992 to January 2012. Results: Out of 1,327 melanoma cases diagnosed between 1992 and 2012, 42 patients were affected by NAM (2.93%). All the patients were Caucasian. Two deceased patients with insufficient medical records and 1 woman with a personal history of breast cancer were excluded. Thirty-nine cases entered this study: 24 were women (67%) and 15 men (33%). The mean age at diagnosis of NAM was 57.3 years (range 29-88 years). Statistical analyses showed that prognosis was significantly correlated with the Breslow thickness (≥/