[Melanoma of the forearm. A historical case report]

We present the case of a melanoma of the forearm notable for its depth (Breslow index 35 mm), due to a longstanding lack of interest and care by the patient as well as her physician. Because of systemic metastases, only palliative treatment, consisting of an excision of the lesion for local hygiene, could be offered. The patient survived for only three months. This case illustrates the absolute necessity to remove without delay, any cutaneous tumor that resembles a melanoma, in order to avoid diagnosis being made at a late stage when curative treatment cannot be performed.