title: Malignant melanoma.
abstract: Malignant melanoma is the most lethal cutaneous neoplasm. Awareness, detection, and treatment along with sophistication of both the physician and patient are integral components to early recognition and cure of the disease. Diagnosis of melanoma at its earliest stage is crucial to outcome. This article discusses in depth the clinical presentation and evaluation, patterns of growth, and pathologic staging of the neoplasm and regional lymph nodes. Treatment approaches and outcomes are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. jcalifa1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Califano
authors.forename: Melonie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nance
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome