The most common site of melanoma in Indians is:

INI-CET EXAM -2025

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2025

Explanation

The most common site for melanoma in Indians and other dark-skinned populations is the hands and feet.
This is due to the higher prevalence of a specific subtype called Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM) in these populations.
ALM characteristically develops on non-sun-exposed skin, specifically the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and under the nails (subungual melanoma).
According to epidemiological data, ALM is responsible for about 50% of all melanoma cases in dark-skinned individuals, whereas it is much rarer in fair-skinned individuals.

Option A: The trunk is a very common site for melanoma, but primarily for superficial spreading and nodular types, which are most prevalent in fair-skinned (Caucasian) populations, especially males.
Option C: Genital melanoma is a form of mucosal melanoma. It is very rare overall and is not the most common site in any major population group.
Option D: The face is a common site for a specific subtype called lentigo maligna melanoma, which typically occurs in elderly, fair-skinned individuals with a history of chronic sun exposure.

Visual 1: Image - An example of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma on the sole of a foot, highlighting its characteristic features like irregular borders and variegated color.
Visual 2: Chart - A comparative bar chart showing the incidence of different melanoma subtypes (Superficial Spreading, Nodular, Acral Lentiginous) in fair-skinned versus dark-skinned populations.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Epidemiology of melanoma in the Indian population as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must conduct thorough skin assessments on all patients, paying special attention to the palms, soles, and nail beds, particularly in dark-skinned individuals where melanomas are most likely to occur in these 'hidden' sites.
Patient education is crucial. Nurses should teach patients, especially those with darker skin, about the importance of self-examining their hands and feet for any new or changing pigmented lesions, as Acral Lentiginous Melanoma is not strongly associated with sun exposure.
What if? If the patient was a fair-skinned farmer from Australia with a history of extensive sun exposure, the most probable site for melanoma would be the trunk or face, not the hands and feet.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: 'most common site,' 'melanoma,' and 'in Indians.'
Recognize that the epidemiology of skin cancer, including melanoma, varies significantly based on ethnicity and skin phototype.
Recall that the Indian population is generally considered to have a darker skin phototype.
Access knowledge about the different clinical subtypes of melanoma and their associations with specific populations and locations.
Specifically, recall that Acral Lentiginous Melanoma is the most common subtype in dark-skinned individuals.
Identify the typical location of acral melanomas, which is the hands and feet (palms and soles). This directly leads to the correct option.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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