Malignant Melanoma

Becker 1 reported that of 169 lesions diagnosed as malignant melanoma clinically, only 43% were confirmed as such microscopically. Conversely, of 151 specimens diagnosed microscopically, only 48% were so diagnosed clinically. editors of The Year Book of Dermatology and Syphilology (1954-1955 Series) considered these statistics highly distressing to those interested in the education and training of dermatologists. They expressed the hope that these figures did not hold true for the majority of dermatology departments of medical schools in the United States. It was felt that a comparable study of the material available at the Dermato-Pathology Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine would be ofinterest in relation to Becker's report. This study is based upon specimens submitted from November, 1925, through March, 1955, for pathological diagnosis. clinical diagnoses were made by dermatologists and/or graduate students in dermatology. pathological diagnoses were made by Dr. Lloyd W. Ketron.