Desmoplastic melanoma: a review of its pathology and clinical behaviour, and of management recommendations in published guidelines

Desmoplastic melanomas are uncommon. Their behaviour differs from that of other melanoma subtypes; therefore, management guidelines for non-desmoplastic may not be applicable. This review sought to examine all available evidence relating the and desmoplastic melanomas, based on relevant English-language publications, critically assess recommendations their in current published guidelines. Compared with subtypes, patients ‘pure’ (where ≥90% invasive is subtype) have much lower rates sentinel node positivity distant metastasis. Local recurrence higher but resection margins wider than those recommended been shown benefit. Adjuvant radiotherapy reduces risk local when a satisfactory histological clearance (≥8 mm) cannot achieved. Of 29 identified, only 11 specified while seven simply stated feature should reported. unique subtype biology subtypes. It requires specific strategies few address these.