[Cutaneous Achromia and Malignant Melanoma]

A cutaneous depigmentation occurring either far, or the primary tumour, or about the excision scar, or appearing in different other conditions was noted 29 times among 500 cases of malignant melanoma. Before excision, a vitiliginous depigmentation was present only in two patients. Nevertheless 9 patients observed a vitiligo after surgical excision of the tumour (2.5 years after, as an average) this proportion must conjecturally increase thereafter and so represent a minimal score. Twice, an achromic halo was obvious around the primary melanoma. In seven patients there was evidence of secondary depigmentation around the excision. Seven times a localized achromia was observed on the site of BCG-application or DNCB-test. Two patients had a halo-naevus (Sutton naevus). These varying achromias accompanying malignant melanoma were largely studied in animal pathology (horse and chimpanzee). They are usually in animals a factor of good prognosis. This good prognosis was likewise related in human malignant melanoma, but our series is against the assertion of any prognosis significance.