Polypoid melanoma (PM) is a variant of nodular melanoma characterized by exophytic growth, an irregular surface, and a cauliflower-like appearance. Its reported incidence varies widely, ranging from 2% to 43%, and it is associated with a poor prognosis. This study presents a case of this rare melanoma subtype, along with its demographic characteristics, as reported in the international literature. PM is recognized as an independent risk factor in the evolving landscape of melanoma and requires tailored management strategies. Dermatologists and surgical oncologists should maintain a high level of suspicion to improve patient outcomes.

1. Valdebran M, Wu K, Wu A, Junkins-Hopkins J. Polypoid melanoma: A rare clinical subtype frequently confused with benign entities. Our Dermatol Online. 2016;7(2):179-180.

2. Di Altobrando A, Patrizi A, Dika E, Savoia F. Cauliflower-like exophytic mass on the skin: Polypoid melanoma. Clinical, dermoscopic, and histologic features. An Bras Dermatol. 2020;95(6):748-750. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2020.04.010

3. Hikawa RS, Kanehisa ES, Enokihara MM, Enokihara MY, Hirata SH. Polypoid melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma different subtypes in the same lesion. An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(4):666-668. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142802

4. Pedersen EA, Harms PW, Zhao L, et al. Polypoid melanoma is associated with aggressive histopathological characteristics and poor clinical prognosis: A retrospective cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;88(5):1169-1170. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.11.055

5. Maury ME, Jukic DM. A case presentation of three polypoid melanomas with divergent features. Cureus. 2023;15(10):e46951. doi: 10.7759/cureus.46951

6. Navarro-Nuño DE, Villarreal-Salgado JL, Grano-González VH, García-Marín G, Nuño-Rodríguez VH, Torres-Salazar QL. Surgical technique for margin widening in the treatment of polypoid nodular malignant back melanoma. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023;110:108659. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108659

7. Kalmykova A, Mosaieby E, Kacerovská D, et al. MITF::CREM-rearranged tumor: a novel group of cutaneous tumors with melanocytic differentiation. Virchows Arch. 2023;483(4):569-575. doi: 10.1007/s00428-023-03621-7

8. Tan A, Gutierrez D, Brinster NK, Stein JA. Polypoid melanoma mistaken for verruca vulgaris. Cleve Clin J Med. 2020;87(9):534-536. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19079

9. Boccardi A, Trigg J, Reite, P, Papadopoulos D, Sirota Rozenberg S. Polypoid melanoma: Diagnostic hardships concerning a rare melanoma variant. SKIN J Cutan Med. 2022;6(3):250-253. doi: 10.25251/skin.6.3.13

10. Schadendorf D, Luke JJ, Ascierto PA, et al. Pembrolizumab versus placebo as adjuvant therapy in resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma: Outcomes in histopathologic subgroups from the randomized, double-blind, phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trial. J Immunother Cancer. 2024;12(3):e007501. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007501

11. Michielin O, van Akkooi ACJ, Ascierto PA, Dummer R, Keilholz U; ESMO Guidelines Committee. Electronic address: clinicalguidelines@esmo.org. Cutaneous melanoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2019;30(12):1884-1901. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdz411

12. Pérez-Wilson J, Arellano J, Castro A. Polypoid melanoma: an aggressive variant of nodular melanoma. Cutis. 2018;101(6):E6-E7.