Malignant melanoma. A clinical and surgical review. Part I: Introduction and general discussion.

Malignant melanoma, the leading cause of death from diseases of the skin, often is found on the lower extremity. When encountered by the podiatric physician, a thorough understanding of the disease entity is essential, as misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can have fatal consequences. The authors present the first of a two-part comprehensive clinical and surgical review of malignant melanoma. Part I reviews etiology, risk factors, signs, symptoms, clinical features, and growth patterns. In Part II, a pictorial lower extremity differential diagnosis will be provided, along with diagnostic and surgical criteria for the podiatric surgeon.