Cutaneous melanoma

Melanocytes are cells of neuroectodermal origin found distributed along the epidermal basal layer of the skin and mucous membranes. Melanoma (Figure 1) is a malignant proliferation of melanocytes which arises, in most cases, from a pre-existing naevus, but which may arise from normal skin. This review focuses on the epidemiology, prognosis, clinical diagnosis, management and follow-up of cutaneous melanoma.