Nail Squamous Cell Carcinoma Involving the Nail Fold in a Skin of Color Patient: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

Nail squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in skin of color (SoC) patients are exceedingly rare, with only 29 cases previously reported.

CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a female Fitzpatrick skin-type V patient who presented with a 3-year history of a hyperpigmented plaque involving the proximal nail fold of her right thumbnail. The patient reported a positive Pap smear for human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 seventeen years ago and had not received the HPV vaccine. Biopsy showed SCC positive for high-risk HPV, and the patient underwent Mohs surgery.

CONCLUSION

This case adds to only five prior reports of female SoC patients with nail SCC and emphasizes the importance of considering nail SCC in the differential diagnosis of a hyperpigmented nail fold, especially with a history of HPV.