Lentigo maligna melanoma

Abstract

Lentigo maligna melanoma is a relatively rare subtype of melanoma that appears de novo on the chronically sun-damaged skin of the elderly. Initially, it is a variably pigmented, sometimes amelanotic, slow-growing, irregular flat macule on the skin, which is melanoma in situ (lentigo maligna), and often persists for 10-15 years before developing into an invasive tumour. Dermoscopic examination in differentiating from other melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions at early stage can be challenging. In many cases, the borders of the tumour cannot be determined precisely, not even histologically, which is why local recurrence is relatively common. In this paper, we present the specifics of the clinicopathological classification, dermoscopic differential diagnosis and treatment of lentigo maligna melanoma.