[Malignant melanoma of the skin]

The incidence of malignant melanoma (MM) of the skin is on the increase. If the mortality of this disease is to be reduced, the identification of persons at risk, and early clinical diagnosis are of decisive importance. The prognosis depends on the stage of the disease and has improved over the last few decades. The present article provides an overview of the risk factors and discusses the latest guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, the aim of which is to make possible a uniform approach to the management of malignant melanoma.