[Spontaneous regression and leukoderma in malignant melanoma]

In four patients with superficial spreading melanoma, partial spontaneous regression and/or leukodermas of different appearance occurred. In two patients leukoderma appeared within the central area of the primary tumor; one of whom developed, in addition, vitiligo elsewhere on the body. In a further case the melanoma exhibited a depigmented halo resembling Sutton's nevus. Presumably, these leukodermas represent an epiphenomenon of the specific immunological reaction between the host and the melanoma.