Malignant melanoma

Abstract

Key Features: Incidence of malignant melanoma and proportions of its subtypes are markedly different among races. This is mainly due to extremely higher incidence of melanoma affecting trunk and non-acral extremities in white populations. Acral melanoma is the most prevalent subtype in non-white populations and melanoma of this type shows unique morphological and genetic characteristics. Most malignant melanomas can be detected in early, curable stages, if we apply valid clinical and dermoscopic criteria for the diagnosis. Clinical guidelines for the management of cutaneous melanomas have been proposed in several countries, and we can obtain the latest information about the management via the Internet. Narrow surgical margins have been established in excising the primary lesions of melanoma. Particularly, melanoma in situ can be cured by simple excision with 3-5 mm free margin. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is becoming a standard procedure, instead of the elective lymph node dissection. Melanoma is resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and effective therapies for patients with advanced melanoma are yet to be established. Recent clinical and basic studies of melanoma have revealed dozens of innovative findings in various fields, which will contribute to establish revolutionary diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in the future. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.