Common Causes And Risk Factors For Subungual Melanoma

Darker Skin

An individual who has a darker skin tone is more likely to develop subungual melanoma than those who have a lighter complexion. Light skinned individuals are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer when referring to all forms, but dark-skinned individuals have a higher risk for the types that occur in non-sun-exposed areas. The exact mechanism behind the higher prevalence of melanoma on non-sun exposed areas of the skin in individuals with darker skin is not known, but it is thought to be associated with the fact these areas have skin that is typically a lighter color than the sun-exposed areas. For example, the skin underneath the fingernail is of a lighter color than the skin surrounding them. Most cases of subungual melanoma in individuals who have darker skin are initiated as the result of an injury or trauma to the fingernail or toenail. Subungual melanoma in individuals who have darker skin is usually diagnosed at a later stage when the melanoma has spread into other tissues. The fact melanoma is visually less noticeable in such places on the body like the fingernails in darker-skinned individuals makes it have a poor prognosis in comparison with that of lighter-skinned individuals.

Get more details on the risk factors linked to subungual melanoma now.