Malignant melanoma: a clinical review

The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma is increasing at an alarming rate. It is projected that Americans born in the year 2000 will have a 1 in 75 lifetime risk of developing melanoma. Long-term survival for patients with metastatic disease is only 5% and approximately 15% of patients diagnosed with melanoma eventually die from their disease. Conversely, the prognosis for early disease is excellent and often simple surgical excision is curative. It is therefore crucial that the practicing physician becomes familiar with all of the clinical and histologic presentations in order to ensure an accurate and prompt diagnosis. This, in turn, should lead to earlier detection and a more favorable prognosis.