Cancer Skin Cancer Melanoma How Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Is Diagnosed By Shamard Charles, MD, MPH Shamard Charles, MD, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Dr. Shamard Charles is a physician-journalist reporting on health policy, public health initiatives, diversity in medicine, and new developments in health care research and medical treatments. Learn about our editorial process Published on January 26, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Self-Checks Physical Examination Biopsy Labs and Imaging Differential Diagnosis Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), also known simply as acral melanoma, is an agressive subtype of cutaneous melanoma (skin cancer) that occurs on the hands and feet. The word "acral" is derived from the Greek word referring to the highest or topmost portion of the limbs. The word "lentiginous" refers to the initial origin of these tumors as a macular (flat) brown spot, resembling a benign lentigo, or liver spot. ALM is highly curable when caught early, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. ALM is typically diagnosed by biopsy, removing a sample tissue for examination in a lab. ALM can look similar to other types of skin cancer, so evaluation by a dermatopathologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases by looking at samples of skin, hair, and nails) is required to make an accurate diagnosis. This article will review how ALM is diagnosed. undefined undefined /iStock /Getty Images Plus Self-Checks The earliest sign of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is an oddly shaped and discolored patch of skin surrounded by normal skin. The skin may be raised, with black, gray, tan, red, or brown discoloration, and have irregular borders. Sometimes a brown or tan streak may appear under the nail of your hands or feet, especially the big toe or thumb. The ABCDE Rule for Self-Checks Using the "ABCDE" rule can help describe these ominous-looking moles: "A" for asymmetry; "B" for border irregularity; "C" for color variation; "D" for diameter, which is large; and "E" for ever-evolving, or growing, nature.You will want to get checked by a healthcare professional, such as your primary care physician or a dermatologist, if you notice the presence of one or more of these signs. ALM is incredibly rare, but if you see one or more of the following skin changes, seek immediate medical attention: Ulceration or bleeding at the sight of a new oddly shaped or discolored patch of skinA discolored skin patch that has grown Irregular area of skin greater than 6 millimetersA skin patch that has developed irregular borders How to Identify Signs of Early Skin Cancer Physical Examination After sharing your signs and symptoms, a healthcare professional will perform a physical exam, looking at all the skin of the body. A full-body skin exam is done if you have: Suspicious moles or skin lesionsSymptoms of early skin cancerA history of previous skin cancer50 or more molesAtypical moles, also known as dysplastic neviA family history of skin cancer. During the exam, healthcare providers will look for suspicious growths, moles, or lesions on the skin, including by parting your hair to check the scalp. They will often use a bright light and sometimes a magnifying lens for a more thorough examination. Along with identifying ominous characteristics of your mole using the ABCDE rule, your healthcare provider may also point out other signs of melanoma, including: Elevation, such as thickening or raising of a previously flat moleScaling, erosion, oozing, bleeding, or crusting at the skin’s surfaceRedness, swelling, or small new patches of color around a larger lesion, called satellite pigmentations, of the surrounding skinItching, tingling, or burning sensation on light touchFriability of the skin, such as softening or small pieces that break off easily In the early stages, it can be hard to tell the difference between ALM and benign nevi (noncancerous moles), so your healthcare provider or dermatologist may use dermoscopy. This is a special procedure that can help get an accurate diagnosis. In dermoscopy, your healthcare provider will use a microscope and incandescent light to examine the detail of minute structures of the melanocytic skin lesions. Dermoscopy uncovers hard-to-see skin changes that are not visible by the naked eye. What Does Skin Cancer Look Like? Biopsy If ALM is suspected, your healthcare provider will recommend a biopsy, a procedure in which a sample of tissue is removed and sent to a lab to be studied under a microscope. A narrow margin excisional biopsy is recommended for the diagnosis of ALM. During this procedure, the entire tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it (depending on the thickness of the tumor) are surgically removed. The tissue is then examined by a dermatopathologist under a microscope for signs of malignancy and staging. Choosing the Right Biopsy for a Skin Cancer Type Labs and Imaging If you have local ALM without spread and are otherwise asymptomatic, imaging studies and other laboratory tests such as blood work are not recommended. In later stages of the disease, your healthcare provider may order a blood test to measure levels of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Elevated LDH levels can indicate tissue damage and help determine if the cancer has metastasized (spread). A chest X-ray may also be used to detect metastasis to the lungs. However, imaging techniques tend to have a high rate of false positives (results show you have the condition when, in fact, you do not) for cutaneous melanomas such as ALM. Differential Diagnosis The differential diagnosis—process of differentiating between two or more conditions—for ALM is relatively broad. The list of other conditions that can mimic ALM include: Other melanocytic neoplasms (tumors on the skin) such as lentigo, congenital acral nevi, and acquired acral nevi Fungal and bacterial infections Trauma-related hemorrhage (talon noir) Terra firma-forme dermatosis (black or brown raised areas of skin) Chronic wounds Verrucae (warts) Other skin cancers that may have secondary pigmentation (pigment transferred by another cell) such as squamous cell carcinoma or porocarcinoma, or cutaneous melanomas Look at Pics to Determine Whether Your Mold Is Benign or Cancerous Summary A biopsy of the ALM lesion in question is needed to make a diagnosis. Prior to a biopsy, a healthcare provider will ask you about your signs and symptoms and examine the affected area. A Word From Verywell ALM is incredibly rare, so it's likely that your skin changes are the result of another condition. Still, knowing the signs and symptoms of ALM can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. This is key, given that ALM is a highly curable condition when addressed early. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Redi U, Marruzzo G, Lovero S, Khokhar HT, Lo Torto F, Ribuffo D. Acral lentiginous melanoma: A retrospective study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(6):1813-1820. doi:10.1111/jocd.13737 Kaiser Permanente. Physical exam of the skin for skin cancer. Berk-Krauss J, Laird ME. What's in a name-dermoscopy vs dermatoscopy. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(12):1235. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.3905 Swetter SM, Tsao H, Bichakjian CK, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of primary cutaneous melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):208-250. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.08.055