Mechanical stress on the plantar surface of the foot, which is typical of normal weightbearing on the foot, is associated with a higher formation of plantar melanoma compared with other non-weightbearing areas of the body. This is according to study data in the Journal of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

The study investigators retrospectively examined data from a melanoma database at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. In their review, researchers identified 107 cases of acral melanoma diagnosed between August 1991 and June 2017.