Accuracy in the Clinical Diagnosis and Pattern of Malignant Melanoma at a Dermatological Clinic

The diagnostic pattern of malignant melanoma and clinical suspicion rate has been investigated at a dermatological university clinic. Of 174 histologically proven malignant melanomas, 60 (34%) were not clinically suspected as melanomas. The accuracy of clinical diagnosis increased with level of experience. Physicians with 10 years experience. Of 50 patients immediately referred from the dermatologic clinic to surgery departments, 12 did not have melanoma.