Abstract: Objective To study the role of trauma in the pathogenesis of acral malignant melanoma (AMM) and evaluate current AMM classification system through reviewing clinical-pathological features of AMM. Methods One hundred newly diagnosed AMM cases with complete clinical and pathological data were analyzed. Results The primary lesions of 72 cases were located on feet (29 cases on plantar, 18 cases heel and 12 cases big toe); and 28 cases on hands (14 cases under thumb nails). There was a trauma history at the primary melanoma site in 31 cases. Forty cases of acral malignant melanoma couldn't be clas-sified with current classification system. There was no significant difference according to current classifications methods, in invasive level, clinical staging and so on. Conclusion The predominant location of acral malignant melanoma is foot. Trauma may be an important inductive factor for acral malignant melanoma. The current classification system needs improve through further investigation.

Key words: Melanoma, Pathology, clinical, Clinical medicine