Examining the prevalence and incidence of amelanotic melanoma in two Irish Hospitals

Amelanotic Melanoma (AM) represent a large proportion of difficult to diagnose melanoma, this is due to these lesions being partially or completely devoid of pigment. This occurs in two ways, either due to regression of pigment in the lesion or due to malignant melanocytes within the tumour, being unable to produce mature melanin granules1 or a combination of both. AM commonly presents as white or ‘skin coloured’ lesions, with a variable percentage presenting as red, pink, or erythematous lesions.