What is the behavior associated with digit/subungual melanoma?

Digit or subungual melanoma is characterized by a high rate of recurrence, which distinguishes it from other tumor types. This behavior is important in understanding how the disease progresses and affects treatment options. Melanomas in this region tend to be aggressive due to their location under the nail and the potential for involvement of the surrounding tissues.

The high recurrence rate can be attributed to several factors, including incomplete excision, the challenging anatomy of the digit, and the potential for undetected microscopic disease at the time of surgical intervention. As a result, vigilant follow-up is necessary after initial treatment to monitor for local recurrence or any new lesions. This aspect of digit/subungual melanoma highlights the importance of thorough surgical planning and possible adjunct therapies to manage this aggressive behavior effectively.

While options like being usually benign, rarely metastatic, or locally invasive describe melanoma characteristics, they do not capture the critical aspect of recurrence that significantly impacts patient outcomes and management strategies.