ABSTRACT
The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma has been rising steadily over the last century throughout the world. In the year 2000, approximately 1 in 75 Americans was diagnosed with melanoma, in comparison to 1 in 1500 in 1935. Although accounting for only 5% of all skin cancers diagnosed annually, over 75% of all skin cancer deaths are due to melanoma. In 2003, 54,200 new cases were reported in the United States and 7600 patients died of melanoma. Fortunately, due to a heightened awareness of the early cutaneous manifestations of melanoma, the majority (>80%) of patients are diagnosed when the primary tumor is confined to the skin. Early diagnosis correlates significantly with increased survival. Five-year survival rates exceeding 90% are achieved in patients with localized disease in comparison to rates of approximately 60% and 5% in those with regional lymph node and distant metastases, respectively.
