Acral lentiginous melanoma in a pregnant African albino, atypical clinical presentation

Abstract

Melanoma is a potentially serious skin cancer that arises from pigment cells (melanocytes). Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a kind of lentiginous skin melanoma. It is commonly observed on the palms, soles, under the nails and in mucous membranes. Unlike other forms of melanoma, ALM does not appear to be linked to sun exposure. This cancer is rare in Caucasians and people with lighter skin types; it is the most common subtype in people with darker skins. It is the most common form of melanoma diagnosed amongst Asian and Black ethnic groups. The average age at diagnosis is between sixty and seventy years. About 1 to 3% of melanomas in Australia and New Zealand are ALM. We do not have statistics on the prevalence of this tumor in the black African population, much less in African albinos. But the rarity of this cancer in African albinos is no doubt. Indeed, a histopathological retrospective review of 10 years in Tanzania has only found one case of this pathology. We report a case of ALM in an African albino patient with 4 particularities, an early onset age (25), a state of gestation (32 weeks), a location (orbital rim) and a clinical aspect (achromatic).

Keywords: Acral Lentiginous Melanoma,Congoleese Albinos, Gestation, Brazzaville