title: Following lentigo maligna may not prevent the development of life-threatening melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Management of lentigo maligna (Hutchinson's melanotic freckle, in situ lentigo maligna melanoma) by regular observation relies on the detection of invasive melanoma before it has developed significant life-threatening potential. Recent studies indicate that lentigo maligna melanoma does not have a better prognosis than other forms of melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case is reported of an amelanotic lentigo maligna that evolved from a macular lesion to a deeply invasive, amelanotic, lentigo maligna melanoma within 6 months. The melanoma was Clark level IV and measured 3.0 mm in maximum tumor thickness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Observation of lentigo maligna at 6-month intervals would not seem to be sufficiently reliable in detecting the development of invasive lentigo maligna melanoma before it becomes a life-threatening disease. Early surgical excision is the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007911:Lentigo / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*