# Primary Dermal Melanoma: A Rare Subtype of Melanoma and Clinical Mimicker of Basal Cell Carcinoma

**Authors:** Kelly E Owens, Ysaac Zegeye, Rayan Saade, Michelle B Pavlis

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65538 · Cureus · 2024-07-27

## TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of primary dermal melanoma, which can be mistaken for basal cell carcinoma and highlights the need for better diagnostic methods.

## Contribution

The paper contributes a case study emphasizing the diagnostic challenges of primary dermal melanoma and the need for interdisciplinary research.

## Key findings

- Primary dermal melanoma can clinically mimic basal cell carcinoma, leading to diagnostic confusion.
- There are currently no definitive diagnostic markers for primary dermal melanoma.
- Collaboration between dermatology and oncology is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.

## Abstract

Primary dermal melanoma (PDM) is a rare variant of melanoma. We present the case of a 76-year-old female diagnosed with PDM following initial suspicion of basal cell carcinoma, prompting extensive workup to exclude metastasis. This case demonstrates the diagnostic challenges and need for rigorous evaluation in suspected PDM cases. Current literature lacks definitive diagnostic markers for PDM, and we highlight the ongoing need for research and collaborative efforts between dermatology and oncology.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** melanoma (MONDO:0005105), basal cell carcinoma (MONDO:0005341)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** metastasis (MESH:D009362), Basal Cell Carcinoma (MESH:D002280), Melanoma (MESH:D008545)

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11346804/full.md

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11346804/full.md

## References

7 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11346804/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11346804