Original Investigation

Diagnostic Accuracy of Dermoscopic Features in Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

JAMA Dermatology 10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.0071

March 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT

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Which dermoscopic features most reliably distinguish acral lentiginous melanoma from benign acral nevi?In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 studies that included 8845 nevi and 801 melanomas, the parallel ridge and multicomponent features were statistically associated with acral lentiginous melanoma, whereas the parallel furrow and latticelike features were significantly associated with benign acral lesions.Beyond the previously established ridge and furrow criteria, this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates the diagnostic relevance of multicomponent and latticelike features, supporting earlier detection and the standardization of dermoscopic evaluation of acral lesions.

Corresponding Author: Hung Q. Doan, MD, PhD, Department of Dermatology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 (hqdoan@mdanderson.org).

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