Lentigo Maligna vs Solar Lentigo

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Lentigo Maligna
Solar Lentigo
Category
Malignant
Benign
Key feature
The earliest stage of a specific melanoma type. A slowly expanding flat brown patch on sun-damaged facial skin.
Flat brown spots from cumulative sun exposure. Completely harmless - but sometimes confused with lentigo maligna (early melanoma).
Risk factors
Chronic cumulative sun exposure on fair skin; Age over 60 (median age 65-70); History of significant sun damage (solar elastosis)
Cumulative sun exposure; Fair skin; Age over 40
Action needed
A flat brown patch on the face that has been slowly expanding
An age spot that is changing shape, developing irregular borders, or showing multiple colors

Lentigo Maligna

Lentigo maligna (LM) is a form of melanoma in situ - meaning the malignant melanocytes are confined to the epidermis and have not yet invaded deeper layers. It occurs on chronically sun-damaged skin, most commonly the face (especially the cheeks, nose, and forehead) of elderly individuals.

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Solar Lentigo

Solar lentigines are flat, well-defined, uniformly tan to dark brown spots caused by cumulative ultraviolet exposure. They are extremely common, appearing on the face, hands, forearms, shoulders, and chest of virtually everyone with significant sun exposure history.

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Does yours look more like lentigo maligna?

Quick self-check

Does this look like lentigo maligna? Answer 2 questions.

Is it a flat brown patch on sun-damaged facial skin?

Has it been slowly growing or changing over months to years?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

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