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 three-year history of a hyperpigmented plaque involving the proximal nail fold of her right thumbnail. The patient reported a positive Pap smear for 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.