Cutaneous metastases from malignant melanoma: clinical features and new therapeutic perspectives

In this chapter, cutaneous metastases from malignant melanoma will be analyzed from a clinical and a prognostic point of view. This non rare condition is often distressing for the patient, as cutaneous lesions increase progressively in number and size and are frequently worsened by ulceration, bleeding and pain. After a general introduction about the incidence of cutaneous involvement in melanoma natural history, clinical classification of skin metastases will be provided. Then, the impact of cutaneous localizations on prognosis will be evaluated. In the last paragraph, the different therapeutic options for the management of patients with loco-regional or diffused cutaneous metastases will be reviewed