Diagnosis and management of lentigo maligna: a review

Lentigo maligna is a melanocytic neoplasm occurring on sun-exposed skin, usually on the head and neck, of middle-aged and elderly patients. It is thought to represent the in situ phase of lentigo maligna melanoma. The ill-defined nature and potentially large size of lesions can pose significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. The goal of therapy is to cure the lesions in order to prevent development of invasive disease, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice to achieve clear histological margins. Nonsurgical treatment modalities have been reported; however, evidence is lacking to support their use. Age, general health, and comorbidities need to be taken into account when deciding the right treatment modality for each individual patient.