[Malignant melanomas of the skin. Early diagnosis and differential diagnosis.--conclusion]

Abstract

Amelioration of prognosis in cutaneous malignant melanomas essentially depends on early diagnosis which necessitates the knowledge of some risks and clinical signs of malignancy. The clinical and also histological items of lentigo maligna melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma, acro-lentiginous melanoma and nodular melanoma are referred in detail. Hints are given at the precursor lesions as well as the early signs of malignancy. For differential diagnosis, eight kinds of relatively frequent pigmented skin lesions are discussed.