lentigo maligna melanoma

melanoma /mel·a·no·ma/ (mel″ah-no´mah) a tumor arising from the melanocytic system of the skin and other organs; used alone, it refers to malignant m..

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acral-lentiginous melanoma  an irregular, enlarging black macule with a prolonged noninvasive stage, occurring chiefly on the palms and soles; it is the most common type of melanoma in nonwhite persons.

amelanotic melanoma  an unpigmented malignant melanoma.

juvenile melanoma  spindle and epithelioid cell nevus.

lenti´go malig´na melanoma  a cutaneous malignant melanoma arising in the site of a preexisting lentigo maligna, occurring on sun exposed areas, particularly of the face.

malignant melanoma  a malignant tumor usually developing from a nevus or lentigo maligna and consisting of black masses of cells with a marked tendency to metastasis.

nodular melanoma  a type of malignant melanoma without a perceptible radial growth phase, usually occurring on the head, neck, or trunk as a uniformly pigmented, elevated, bizarrely colored, rapidly enlarging nodule that ulcerates.

ocular melanoma  malignant melanoma arising from the structures of the eye, frequently metastasizing and rapidly causing death.

subungual melanoma  acral-lentiginous melanoma in the nail fold or bed.

superficial spreading melanoma  malignant melanoma characterized by a period of radial growth atypical of epidermal melanocytes, which may be followed by invasive growth or may regress; it usually occurs as a small pigmented macule or papule with irregular outline on the lower leg or back.

uveal melanoma  ocular melanoma consisting of overgrowth of uveal melanocytes.

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lentigo maligna melanoma,

a neoplasm developing from Hutchinson's freckle on the face or other exposed surfaces of the skin in elderly patients. It is asymptomatic, flat, and tan or brown, with irregular darker spots and frequent hypopigmentation. It is one of the major clinical types of melanoma and occurs in 10% to 15% of melanoma patients. See also nodular melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma.

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melanoma [mel″ah-no´mah]

a tumor arising from the melanocytic system of the skin and other organs. When used alone, the term refers to malignant melanoma.

acral-lentiginous melanoma an uncommon type of melanoma, although it is the most common type seen in nonwhite individuals, occurring chiefly on the palms and soles, and sometimes involving mucosal surfaces, such as the vulva or vagina. The characteristic lesion is an irregular, enlarging black macule, which has a prolonged noninvasive stage.

juvenile melanoma spindle and epithelioid cell nevus.

lenti´go malig´na melanoma a cutaneous malignant melanoma found most often on the sun-exposed areas of the skin, especially the face. It begins as a circumscribed macular patch of mottled pigmentation, showing shades of dark brown, tan, or black (lentigo maligna or melanotic freckle of Hutchinson), and enlarges by lateral growth before dermal invasion occurs. This type seems to be the least aggressive form of malignant melanoma.

malignant melanoma a malignant skin tumor, usually developing from a nevus and consisting of dark masses of cells with a marked tendency to metastasis. It is not common, but its incidence is increasing and it is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. It arises from pigment- (melanin-) producing cells and varies in course and prognosis according to type; types include superficial spreading melanoma, nodular malignant melanoma, and lentigo maligna melanoma. In general, the superficial lesions can be cured by surgical excision of the mole and adjacent tissues. Deeper lesions tend to metastasize rapidly through the lymphatic and circulatory systems. In some cases the condition has a genetic component. Early detection and skin protection are key in its control.