Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: An Approach to Accurate Clinical and Histological Diagnosis

Abstract

Accurate and early diagnosis of malignant melanoma is an important task for clinicians. Criteria for clinical and histopathologic diagnosis have been developed and are generally reliable. Melanoma may simulate and be simulated by a number of different disorders. In this article, these issues are addressed and guidelines for clinical and histologic diagnosis are offered so that the diagnosis may be made with greater accuracy and consistency.