Lentigo maligna melanoma overview

Overview
Lentigo maligna is a melanoma in situ: it consists of malignant cells but does not show invasive growth. It can remain in this non-invasive form for years. It is normally found in the elderly (peak incidence in the 9th decade), on skin areas with high levels of sun exposure (for example, face and forearms). When it develops into melanoma, the resulting lesion is called lentigo maligna melanoma. The transition to melanoma is marked by the appearance of a bumpy surface (vertical growth, invasion).