Longitudinal Melanonychia as a Rare Sign of Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Systematic Review

Authors

  • Davide Bertolla Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
  • Elisa Marzola Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5905-6186
  • Sebastiano Posenato Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6848-1005
  • Deborah Gabriele Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Anatomopathology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
  • Alessandro Borghi Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9163-9691

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v105.44132

Keywords:

longitudinal melanonychia, squamous cell carcinoma, systematic review, differential diagnosis, dermoscopy

Abstract

A 50-year-old male presented with 4-month history of longitudinal melanonychia on the fourth digit of his right foot. A nail matrix and bed biopsy was performed, which led to the diagnosis of invasive well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated positivity for P16 and P40. Longitudinal melanonychia may be a diagnostic challenge, as it can be associated with both benign and malignant conditions. Given the potential for locally aggressive behaviour, squamous cell carcinoma should always be considered in cases of longitudinal melanonychia. A systematic review was conducted in order to analyse all documented cases of invasive squamous cell carcinomas that presented as longitudinal melanonychia, highlighting any associated clinical, dermoscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics potentially useful for an early identification of this neoplasm.

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Published

2025-12-10

How to Cite

Bertolla, D., Marzola, E., Posenato, S., Gabriele, D., & Borghi, A. (2025). Longitudinal Melanonychia as a Rare Sign of Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Systematic Review. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 105, adv44132. https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v105.44132

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