Treatment of lentigo maligna

Abstract

Lentigo maligna (LM) is the in situ phase of lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) and, if left untreated, 30-50% of cases will progress to LMM, which is now thought to behave as aggressively as any other melanoma. Literature on the of treatment of LM including conventional surgery, micrographic Mohs surgery, cryosurgery, radiotherapy, electrodesiccation and curettage. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), azelaic acid, retinoic acid and lasers are reviewed. It is concluded that micrographic Mohs surgery has the lowest recurrence rates and that conventional surgery, cryosurgery and radiotherapy all have recurrence rates in the order of 7-10%. Therefore, on the basis of the current literature available, all three of these methods could be recommended as primary treatment of LM. It is extremely important when choosing one of the above treatments that the physician is adequately trained in the appropriate technique and understands the limitation of the method used and the need for close follow up of the patient.