Sanderson

 
"Most tumours [of melanoma] show proliferating atypical melanocytes at the dermal-epidermal junction. In superficial and early lesions this is the main change [sic], in large ulcerating tumours it may be seen only in small areas around the ulcer. Malignant cells may invade the epidermis and be shed in the stratum corneum, extend laterally along the junction to produce a melanotic halo, or downwards as an invasive tumour."
 
"Early and superficial malignant melanoma may closely resemble an active junctional or compound naevus. The cells are usually larger, with more darkly stained nuclei, increased mitoses and, most characteristically, particles of melanin dispersed through the cytoplasm to give a ground-glass appearance." (Fig. 7) Sanderson KV. Tumours of the skin. In: Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG. Textbook of dermatology. 2nd Edition. Great Britain: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1972:1981–2.

View Figure  		Fig. 7  Our diagnosis and comment: Melanoma. The photomicrograph, which is out of focus, shows a melanoma that at least is in situ. Some neoplastic melanocytes may be present amidst the infiltrate of lymphocytes in the upper part of the dermis. The term "melanotic freckle" fails to communicate that the neoplasm truly is a melanoma. Moreover, the atypical melanocytes within the epidermis cannot be seen "proliferating at the junction;" no movement of cells can be detected through a microscope!
 

Brief Critique

 
All of the changes alleged by Sanderson to be relevant to diagnosis of melanoma are seen in some lesions of Spitz's nevus. His ideas of "active" nevi, invasive tumour, and malignant cells, as judged morphologically, are flawed.