Dimensionalities: Borderline and intermediate melanocytic neoplasia

The concept of minimal deviation melanoma is presented in diagrammatic form . In this approach, the precursors of melanoma are presented as having two dimensions and melanomas as having three dimensions. In turn, the relativit y between dimensionalities and recommendations for treatment (as indirect c orrelates of prognostications) provides guidelines for the structuring of t wo major boundaries along the axis of the diagram. Finally, the domains def ined by the two boundaries include borderline lesions, intermediate lesions , and "real melanomas." The lesions in the borderline and intermediate cate gories qualify as melanocytic neoplasias of indeterminant malignant potenti al; in these two categories, the predictability of metastases hardly justif ies the use of the designation, malignant melanoma. HUM PATHOL 30:521-524. Copyright (C) 1999 byW.B. Saunders Company.