Amelanotic melanoma, a form of skin cancer, is characterized by the absence of melanin production in its cells. These melanomas can appear in colors like pink, red, purple, or even resemble normal skin color, making them challenging to identify. They typically have an asymmetrical shape with an irregular and faintly pigmented border. The unusual appearance of amelanotic melanoma often leads to a delay in diagnosis, resulting in a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate.
The term "amelanotic" signifies the lack of the usual brown pigment produced by most pigment cells. Amelanosis often indicates aggressive tumor behavior and genetic diversity within the melanoma. The cells in amelanotic melanoma are highly abnormal and no longer perform the fundamental function of producing pigment. As a result, these lesions often have a worse prognosis compared to other forms of melanoma.