Rate of Nail Growth & Melanoma
Acral lentiginous melanoma is the type of melanoma that develops under the fingernails or toenails. It can be detected by abnormal appearance or growth in the affected nail. If you notice a pronounced change in your rate of nail growth or begin to develop other symptoms of melanoma in the nails, make an appointment to see a dermatologist immediately for timely diagnosis and treatment of this potentially deadly disease.
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Identification
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Normal nail growth rate is about 2mm to 3mm per month for fingernails and 1mm per month for toenails, but nail growth may also be affected by several other factors. Nails grow faster in summer than in winter, faster among men than among women, and faster on the dominant hand than on the non-dominant hand. Nail growth also generally slows with age and during periods of hormone imbalance. Slow nail growth may also be a symptom of lung disease or other serious conditions. Abnormal nail growth resulting in folds or lumps in the nail can be the result of melanoma.
Features
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Abnormal nail growth that is the result of melanoma is typically accompanied by dark spots or dark streaks in the nail, or bruises under the nail that do not heal. People with normal nail health may also have streaks or discolorations in the nail that are not the result of melanoma, but melanoma is indicated by new streaks that appear on their own (not resulting from any injury to the nail) or existing streaks that change size or shape.
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Effects
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Acral lentiginous melanoma may affect nail health in several immediate ways, including pain or peeling of the nail. Long-term effects include loss of the nail, deep tissue damage and possible spread of the melanoma to other parts of the body. Acral lentiginous melanoma may also be found in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, occurring as tumor growths or discoloration.
Risk
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People with dark skin are at the highest risk for acral lentiginous melanoma, which accounts for about half of all melanoma cases among these populations. Melanoma in general is more common among people with fair skin, blue or green eyes, and red or blonde hair, but acral lentiginous melanoma accounts for only 5 percent of melanoma cases among people traditionally at risk for melanoma.
Prevention/Solution
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Although abnormal nail growth is often not a cause for concern, acral lentiginous melanoma is very rare among the general population, and as such may go undetected by many dermatologists. If you notice any symptoms of abnormal nail health related to melanoma, talk to a dermatologist immediately. The dermatologist will take a biopsy of the affected tissue to determine malignancy and may treat the area with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or medication.
Warning
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Among skin conditions, melanoma is the most serious and is the leading cause of death among skin-related diseases.
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