This course is designed for pathologists-in-training, dermatologists with an interest in dermatopathology and surgical pathologists who encounter in their daily practice problematic melanocytic neoplasms. Ten representative lesions will be presented in case format. The intention is to focus upon the common precursors to malignant melanoma, melanoma mimics, and the controversial malignant neoplasms of melanocytic lineage. Each case will be used as a springboard for the discussion of the differential diagnosis of a different form of melanocytic lesion. In addition to a heavy emphasis upon conventional light microscopic criteria for diagnosis, the authors will expand, where appropriate, on recent advances in the pathophysiology of melanocytic neoplasia.

The categories of melanocytic lesions discussed will include: 1) melanoses, 2) dermal melanocytoses, 3) dysplastic and common acquired nevi, 4) congenital nevi, 5) combined nevi, 6) Spitz's nevi and the atypical Spitz tumor, 7) malignant melanoma with an emphasis on unusual variants including myxoid melanoma, malignant blue nevus, nevoid melanoma, melanoma with prominent pigment synthesis, minimal deviation and borderline tumors, 8) how to report a malignant melanoma, and 9) how to report the prognostically equivocal melanocytic proliferation. In the course of the discussion of the above categories, the course directors will elaborate upon the pathophysiologic bases of familial dysplastic nevus syndrome and the malignant transformation of melanocytic proliferations and their histomorphological expression in the skin. Case histories and a set of transparencies will be available for advance mailing. A comprehensive syllabus will be distributed at the course.