Amelanotic lentigo maligna: a report of three cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Amelanotic lentigo maligna is not clinically suspected and is often mistaken for a basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or dermatitis. Our objective was to review previously reported cases of amelanotic lentigo maligna and compare them with our 3 cases. The clinical presentation and histologic findings of 3 new cases are described and compared with those in the literature. The index of suspicion for amelanotic lentigo maligna is extremely low. No reported cases have been diagnosed clinically. None of our 3 cases was suspected. Only three cases were reviewed. A high degree of clinical and histologic suspicion is required to make the diagnosis of this clinically nondescript neoplasm.