Classification of cutaneous malignant melanoma

Abstract

Human cutaneous malignant melanoma currently is classified into four principle types: nodular, superficial spreading, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous. The criteria for the histopathologic diagnosis of these types are not applied consistently. Nevertheless, the classification has become the foundation of many clinical, histopathologic, epidemiologic, and molecular studies. The results of those studies can have validity only if the classification itself is valid. For this reason, the authors reassessed histopathologic criteria advocated for the distinction of the different types of melanoma and searched for other repeatable constellations of findings that may serve to define distinct subsets of the neoplasm.Human cutaneous malignant melanoma currently is classified into four principle types: nodular, superficial spreading, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous. The criteria for the histopathologic diagnosis of these types are not applied consistently. Nevertheless, the classification has become the foundation of many clinical, histopathologic, epidemiologic, and molecular studies. The results of those studies can have validity only if the classification itself is valid. For this reason, the authors reassessed histopathologic criteria advocated for the distinction of the different types of melanoma and searched for other repeatable constellations of findings that may serve to define distinct subsets of the neoplasm.