Pathophysiology

By Mia Wangsmo Steffenssen MD, Mike Mikkelsen Lorenzen, MD and Pia Sjøgren MD

Melanomas have two growth phases, radial and vertical. The initial growth phase is radial (horizontal) and with time most melanomas progress to a vertical growth phase. Malignant cells invade the dermis and metastasize through lymph vessels.

Acknowledgments

Illustrators: Christian Kaare Paaskesen Med. Stud.