Lentigo maligna of the lateral canthal skin

An elderly patient with a large, acquired macular pigmented lesion on the skin of the left lateral canthus is described. Clinically, the lesion was consistent with lentigo maligna and total excision was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed atypically melanocytic proliferation at the dermal-epidermal junction without dermal invasion. The premalignant nature of this lesion is discussed as well as the clinical diagnostic clues. A brief review is given of the different types of cutaneous melanoma and prognostic factors, diagnosis, and management.