Unlike more common forms of melanoma, Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM) is usually located on the palms of hands and soles of feet. ALM is the only type of melanoma which arises equally across all skin types and is frequently observed in darker skin types. ALM can advance faster than other melanoma, becoming quickly invasive.
As people with dark skin tones are less prone to other forms of melanoma, ALM is the most common melanoma in people with these skin types.
ALM sometimes develops from an existing mole, but It can also occur seemingly out of nowhere on healthy skin.
ALM often appear as a black discolouration, but can be very subtle such as an ill defined patch of light brown-grey, discoloured skin that can look like a stain or a bruise (not obviously cause by trauma), that won’t heal.
In addition to the ‘ABCDE’ of melanoma, look out for a slowly enlarging flat patch of discoloured skin with a smooth surface at first, later becoming thicker with an irregular surface that may be dry or warty.
THE ‘ABCDE’ TOOL: Asymmetric / Border irregularity / Colour variation / Diameter > 6mm / Evolution
DISCOLOURATION: Ill-defined patch, stain or bruise with variable pigmentation (brown, blue-grey, black and red)
EVOLUTION: Smooth at first, becoming thicker. May be dry, warty, ulcerated or bleeding.
If you detect anything of this nature - seek immediate advice from your GP or a dermatologist.
EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!
