Pathology of malignant melanoma

Understanding the fundamental aspects of the pathology of melanoma is crucial for the surgeon to deliver optimal care to the patient with melanoma. Pathology provides diagnostic data, offers prognostic information, and, to a large extent, directs management. This article reviews several aspects of the pathology of melanoma, with special relevance to the surgeon, including benign clinicopathologic simulators of melanoma, fundamental concepts of the pathology of melanoma, histopathologic prognostic factors of melanoma, approach to lymph nodes, and implications of the revised staging system.