A 10-year Experience at a Single Center

You, Hyang Suk; Cho, Hyun Ho; Kim, Won Jeong; Mun, Je Ho; Song, Margaret; Kim, Hoon Soo; Ko, Hyun Chang; Kim, Byung Soo; Kim, Moon Bum

Abstract

BACKGROUND
A variety of benign and malignant tumors can occur in the nail apparatus, causing nail deformities and growth disorders. Clinical diagnosis of nail apparatus tumors can be difficult because of their similar clinical appearance.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the types and frequency of nail apparatus tumors and to assess the types and frequency of nail alterations induced by tumors.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, clinical photos, and histologic slides of 165 patients with nail apparatus tumors who had visited Pusan National University Hospital between January 2002 and August 2012.
RESULTS
The most frequently diagnosed benign tumors were digital mucous cysts (22.4%), glomus tumors (21.8%), and subungual exostoses (8.5%). The most common malignant tumors were melanomas (17.0%), squamous cell carcinomas (4.9%), and Bowen's disease (3.0%). We observed nail plate alterations in 80.6% of the cases. All cases of melanomas, fibrous tumors, and subungual exostoses produced nail alterations. Most tumors were treated with surgical management.
CONCLUSION
Although the sample size of this study was small, this is the first Korean dermatologic trial to identify nail apparatus tumors. The study findings may prove useful in the clinical diagnosis of various nail apparatus tumors.