Melanomas on the dorsum of the hand are extremely rare: A series of seven cases with clinical and dermatoscopic images

AKAY B. N., Earl C., Zeelie T., Dicker T., Clark S., Rosendahl C.

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, vol.66, no.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 66 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/ajd.14394
  • Journal Name: Australasian Journal of Dermatology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE
  • Keywords: aetiology, anatomical site, dorsum of the hand, melanoma, solar radiation
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Melanomas on the dorsum of the hand are exceedingly rare, with limited documentation in medical literature. This report presents seven cases of dorsal hand and finger melanomas, encompassing patients from Australia, New Zealand and Turkey, predominantly women with a mean age of 53 years. The majority were invasive, with a mean Breslow thickness of 1.1 mm and none were of lentigo maligna subtype. The rarity of dorsal hand melanomas prompts speculation into potential protective factors unique to this site, challenging existing knowledge on melanoma aetiology and sun exposure.