MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF THE SKIN

FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE;
MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF THE SKIN

Superficial Spreading (70%)	Nodular (15%)	Acral Lentiginous (10%)	Lentigo Malignant melanoma (5%)

Superficial Spreading melanoma is characterized by a radial growth much greater than a vertical growth. The lesion appears as a flat, slow growing tumor. This tumor has a good prognosis.	Nodular Malignant melanoma appears as a raised berry-shaped nodule. This tumor is characterized by a rapid vertical growth phase, metastasizes widely, and carry an extremely poor prognosis.	Acral Lentiginous malignant melanoma is a slow growing, flat tumor, which frequently covers large areas of skin. This tumor is commonly found on the palms, soles, mucous membranes and underneath the nail. The prognosis of this lesion resides between that of the nodular and superficial spreading types.	Lentigo Maligno melanoma grows at an extremely slow pace and is normally seen as a black lesion in a background of brown color. This tumor has an excellent prognosis.