In situ and very thin melanomas (< 0.75 mm) are similarly and commonly recognizable.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Recent data have suggested that cutaneous melanoma in situ can be clinically recognized in most cases by its features, which resemble those of early invasive melanoma. The aim of the study was to verify whether the diagnostic sensitivity of melanoma in situ is actually equivalent to that of early invasive melanoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical diagnosis of 274 consecutive cutaneous melanoma < 0.75 mm thick. The series consisted of 84 in situ and 190 invasive lesions. RESULTS: The clinical diagnosis of melanoma was performed in 62% (52/84) of cases of in situ melanoma and in 68% (130/190) of the cases of invasive melanoma. The differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that cutaneous melanoma can be clinically diagnosed at a very early stage. In situ and very thin melanomas (< 0.75 mm) are similarly recognizable.