Melanoma

Melanoma History Epidemiology & Causes Genetics Symptoms and signs Prevention Diagnosis Types of primary melanoma Prognostic factors Treatment Complications Future thought

Types of primary melanoma

The most common types of Melanoma in the skin:

* superficial spreading melanoma (SSM)
* nodular melanoma
* acral lentiginous melanoma
* lentigo maligna (melanoma-in-situ frequently on the face and arms of the elderly)
* lentigo maligna melanoma invasive melanoma arising from a lentigo maligna
* melanoma-in-situ

Any of the above types may produce melanin (and be dark in colour) or not (and be amelanotic - not dark). Similarly any subtype may show desmoplasia (dense fibrous reaction with neurotropism) which is a marker of aggressive behaviour and a tendency to local recurrence.

Elsewhere:

* clear cell sarcoma (Melanoma of Soft Parts)
* mucosal melanoma
* uveal melanoma