[Cutaneous malignant melanoma: one single disease ?].

For the media and the public at large, malignant melanoma is the most dreadful cancer of the skin. This statement is obvious. However, some nuances merit to be considered. The clinical presentations, histopathology and molecular genetics point to the fact that malignant melanoma is not a single monolithic pathological condition. Different types of melanomas are distinguished based on distinct origins and contrasted prognoses. The management and information for the patient should be handled individually.