title: [Histological spectrum of malignant melanoma].
abstract: The diagnosis of melanocytic tumors is one of the most problematic areas in dermatology and diagnostic pathology. Melanoma is a malignant melanocytic tumor and the risk for metastasis and associated mortality is mainly dependent on tumor thickness and depth of invasion. Early recognition and correct diagnosis is therefore important for successful and effective treatment. The correct diagnosis of melanoma is, however, challenging due to the wide morphological spectrum. Historically, the disease was subdivided into superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna and acral lentiginous melanoma but many more subtypes have subsequently been added. Some of these melanoma variants also show differences relating to the genetic background, clinical presentation, prognosis and treatment and may be associated with a specific differential diagnosis. In this article four of these melanoma variants, desmoplastic melanoma, nevoid melanoma, malignant blue nevus and pigment synthesizing melanoma will be discussed in more detail.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Pathologie, Western General Hospital und University of Edinburgh, Crewe Rd, EH4 2XU, Edinburgh, Schottland, t_brenn@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brenn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011379:Prognosis; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D047368:Tumor Burden