Diagnostic Considerations

Also consider melanotic macule, pigmented melanocytic nevus, and pigmented malignant hidroacanthoma simplex.^[38]

Melanocytic nevus may require distinction from a melanoacanthoma.^[39]Seborrheic keratosis coincidentally associated with a melanocytic nevus may also be considered.^[40]

Also consider cutaneous melanoma, including the variant called verrucous melanoma.^[41]Additionally, oral melanoacanthoma may rapidly progress, mandating an incisional biopsy to rule out an oral melanoma.^[42]

Differential Diagnoses

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Lambertini M, Patrizi A, Ravaioli GM, Dika E. Oral pigmentations in physiologic conditions, post inflammatory affections and systemic diseases. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2017 Apr 19. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Zaki H, Sabharwal A, Kramer J, Aguirre A. Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome Presenting with Metachronous Melanoacanthomas. Head Neck Pathol. 2018 Feb 15. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Brooks JK, Sindler AJ, Papadimitriou JC, Francis LA, Scheper MA. Multifocal melanoacanthoma of the gingiva and hard palate. J Periodontol. 2009 Mar. 80(3):527-32. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Geetha T, Rani GG, Krishnaram AS. Bilateral oral melanoacanthoma in an Indian boy. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2011 Mar-Apr. 77(2):210-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Tapia JL, Quezada D, Gaitan L, Hernandez JC, Paez C, Aguirre A. Gingival melanoacanthoma: case report and discussion of its clinical relevance. Quintessence Int. 2011 Mar. 42(3):253-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Hunziker MF, Guaraldo GR, Michalany NS, et al. Melanoacanthoma on the nipple of a middle-aged woman: A diagnostic challenge. JAAD Case Rep. 2021 Mar. 9:93-96. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Spott DA, Heaton CL, Wood MG. Melanoacanthoma of the eyelid. Arch Dermatol. 1972 Jun. 105(6):898-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Jain S, Barman KD, Garg VK, Sharma S, Dewan S, Mahajan N. Multifocal cutaneous melanoacanthoma with ulceration: a case report with review of literature. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2011 Nov-Dec. 77(6):699-702. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Rao N, Reed D, Epstein A, et al. Case Report of Conjunctival Melanoacanthoma. Cornea. 2022 Jul 1. 41 (7):908-910. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Vasani RJ, Khatu SS. Melanoacanthoma: Uncommon presentation of an uncommon condition. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr. 4(2):119-21. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Babu SP, Agila S, Sivaranjani P, Kashyap V. An unusual clinical presentation of gingival melanoacanthoma. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013 Sep. 17(5):657-60. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Marocchio LS, Júnior DS, de Sousa SC, Fabre RF, Raitz R. Multifocal diffuse oral melanoacanthoma: a case report. J Oral Sci. 2009 Sep. 51(3):463-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Chung E, Marghoob AA, Carrera C, Marchetti MA. Clinical and Dermoscopic Features of Cutaneous Melanoacanthoma. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Jun 17. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Roh D, Ha DL, Kim Y, Shin K, Kim HS, Ko HC, et al. Comparison of Dermoscopic Features Between Melanoacanthomas and Melanoacanthoma-Like Malignant Melanomas in Korean Patients. J Cutan Med Surg. 2020 Nov 26. 1203475420977470. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Media Gallery

Large cutaneous melanoacanthoma in a 45-year-old man that obstructs his vision.
Photomicrograph of cutaneous melanoacanthoma. Large polydendritic melanocytes are seen at all levels of the epidermis. Acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and slight papillomatosis are also present (hematoxylin and eosin stain, original magnification X139).

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Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, New York Academy of Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

W Clark Lambert, MD, PhD Clinical Professor of Pathology, Clinical Professor of Medicine (Professor of Dermatology), Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Professor of Pathology, Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

W Clark Lambert, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Dermatological Association, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Society of Dermatopathology, College of American Pathologists, Dermatological Society of New Jersey, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, International Academy of Pathology, International Federation of Pigment Cell Societies, International Society of Dermatopathology, Medical Society of New Jersey, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

George G Kihiczak, MD Clinical Instructor, The Ronald O Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Langone Medical Center

George G Kihiczak, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christen M Mowad, MD Professor, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Christen M Mowad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Cutaneous Melanoacanthoma Differential Diagnoses

Diagnostic Considerations

Differential Diagnoses

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

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