Melanonychia Treatment & Management

  • Author: Anokhi Jambusaria-Pahlajani, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 19, 2010
 

Medical Care

If melanonychia is secondary to systemic and/or dermatologic disease, treatment of the underlying condition is helpful.

If melanonychia is secondary to a drug, discontinuation of the offending agent may result in clearance.

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Surgical Care

For melanoma in situ, total excision of the nail apparatus or Mohs micrographic surgery is indicated.[29]

For invasive melanoma, amputation of the distal phalanx is indicated.[30]

Because diagnosis is often delayed in these patients, sentinel lymph node biopsy after surgery may be warranted.[30]

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Consultations

Because longitudinal melanonychia is associated with a variety of systemic conditions, these cases may require referral to the appropriate specialist in order to manage the primary disease.

In cases of subungual melanoma with a poor prognosis, consultation with a hematologist/oncologist regarding potential chemotherapeutic options may be warranted.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Anokhi Jambusaria-Pahlajani, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Anokhi Jambusaria-Pahlajani, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Adam I Rubin, MD  Assistant Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Adam I Rubin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, International Society of Dermatology, International Society of Dermatopathology, Medical Dermatology Society, and Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard K Scher, MD  Professor of Dermatology, University of North Carolina

Richard K Scher, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Cryosurgery, American College of Physicians, American Dermatological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, New York Academy of Sciences, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, Rhode Island Medical Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio

Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Longitudinal melanonychia secondary to a nevus.
Pigmented longitudinal streak secondary to a nail matrix melanoma.
 
 
 
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