Lentigo maligna melanoma
Frequency
Rare
Age Group
Adults & Elderly
Progression
Progressive
Contagious
No
Lentigo melanoma is a type of melanoma that usually develops on sun‑damaged skin of the face in older adults, often on top of a long‑standing flat brown patch called lentigo maligna (Dubreuilh melanosis). It tends to grow slowly on the surface for years, but once it starts growing deeper it becomes aggressive, can spread to lymph nodes and internal organs, and always needs prompt specialist treatment.
This is general information. With a scan you'll receive a detailed, personalized analysis — including individual risk assessment, progression tracking and recommended actions.
Lentigo melanoma is mainly caused by long‑term cumulative sun damage to the skin, especially on the face, leading to malignant change in pigment cells within a pre‑existing patch called lentigo maligna. Genetic predisposition, fair skin, and reduced antitumor immunity also play a role in who develops this type of melanoma.
Lentigo melanoma carries a high risk of local recurrence and spread to lymph nodes and internal organs once it invades deeper skin layers. The risk is higher in older, fair‑skinned people with heavy lifetime sun exposure, a history of sunburns, or previous melanoma.
The main treatment for lentigo melanoma is wide surgical excision with safety margins, sometimes combined with lymph node surgery if spread is suspected. In more advanced cases, additional treatments like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation may be used, while local destructive methods such as laser or freezing are not appropriate for this cancer.
You can lower your risk of lentigo melanoma by protecting your skin from long‑term sun damage, avoiding sunburns, and reducing chronic irritation of pigmented spots. Regular self‑checks, routine use of our AI skin analysis, and timely visits to a dermatologist for any changing lesion are key for early detection.
Any suspicion of lentigo melanoma should be evaluated by a dermatologist or oncologist as soon as possible, ideally within days to a couple of weeks. Our AI skin analysis is useful for routine monitoring, but it cannot replace an in‑person exam, dermatoscopy, and biopsy when melanoma is a concern.
Possible lentigo melanoma should be treated as urgent: arrange an in‑person visit with a dermatologist or oncologist within days to, at most, 1–2 weeks, and immediately if there is bleeding, ulceration, or rapidly changing color or size.
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a dermatologist or physician if you have any concerns.
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. It most often appears on the skin but can also occur on the eye, mucous membranes, or under the nails. Early detection and complete surgical removal greatly improve the chances of cure.
Bowen disease is an early, non‑invasive form of squamous cell skin cancer where abnormal cells are limited to the top layer of the skin. It shows up as a slowly growing red, scaly patch or plaque that doesn’t heal and can eventually turn into invasive skin cancer if not treated.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common type of skin cancer that grows from the outer layer of the skin and can invade deeper tissues. It usually appears as a scaly, crusted, or ulcerated spot that slowly enlarges and can destroy nearby skin if not treated in time.
Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch on sun‑exposed skin caused by long‑term UV damage. It’s considered a precancerous change because a small portion can turn into squamous cell carcinoma over time, so regular checks and often treatment are recommended.
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