Tas F et al. -Plantar surface melanoma affects the Caucasian race less often than other races. The purpose of the current study was to determine the histopathologic and clinical characteristics related to plantar melanoma. Plantar melanoma was shown not to be associated with nodal involvement, recurrence, and poor survival.

Methods

• 104 Caucasian plantar melanoma patients and 1065 patients with non-plantar melanomas were analyzed.

Results

• Plantar melanomas occurred more frequently in females and patients greater than or equal to 50 years of age.
• Compared to melanomas in other sites, the plantar melanomas tended to have more acral lentiginous histopathology, deeper Clark invasion level (IV–V), and thicker Breslow depth (greater than or equal to 2 mm).
• Plantar melanoma lesions were more likely ulcerated and correlated with more lymphovascular invasion, fewer tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, and less frequently associated with a pre-existing melanocytic nevus.
• No correlation existed between plantar localization and nodal involvement or metastasis.
• The recurrence free and overall survival times for plantar melanomas were similar to other sites.
• The 5-year overall survival rate in plantar melanoma patients was 59%.