Le mélanome cutané dans une perspective liégeoise. Actualisation de son épidémiologie et avancées diagnostiques.

Cutaneous melanoma is one of the research poles at the University Hospital of Liège. Since 20 years or so, the dermatopathology laboratory with the contribution of the Mosan Study Group of Pigmented Neoplasms have scrutenised the epidemiological evolution of this cancer. We have disclosed a sharp increase in the global incidence of melanoma, more particularly in women in the age of procreation. We have also contributed and innovated in terms of clinical diagnosis by introducing dermoscopy and initiating both the ULEV method and the cyanoacrylate skin surface stripping. In the field of dermatopathology we have developed an immunohistological panel allowing to fine tune the diagnosis and to define some histoprognostic criteria. For the checkup of the disease extension, the PET scan method has been particularly refined.