We have experienced thirty-nine cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma for twelve years from 1987 to 1998 at the Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo. The number of patients is increasing but this phenomenon is mostly due to increase of in situ patients. We assume that because of the prevalence of knowledge on pigmented lesions, those patients consult us in early stage. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2000; 15: 45-48]
