25. Minimal deviation melanoma

 
Quotation from the 9th edition of Lever's:
 
"Recognized only by some authors, this lesion is referred to as 'borderline type' when it is limited to the papillary dermis and as 'minimal deviation type' when it extends into the reticular dermis. These tumors are considered to exhibit less cytological atypia than the common forms of melanoma, although the architectural characteristics of melanoma are usually present."
 
"Because of the resemblance to nevus cells, the term nevoid melanoma has also been used."
 
Reference in the 9th edition to concepts contrary by A. Bernard Ackerman et al. (ABA): None.
 
Statements contrary by ABA:
 
"Rather than admit uncertainty forthrightly, those who employ circumlocutions that we deplore, such as those under scrutiny here, resort to linguistic maneuvers that, at first blush, seem to have the cachet of scholarship (the jargon used being in keeping with a slew of other well-accepted, but equally bogus diagnoses in [dermato]pathology, among them being "minimal deviation melanoma," "borderline melanoma," "nevoid melanoma," "potentially low-grade melanocytic neoplasm," and "melanocytic proliferation of uncertain biologic potential"). All those terms and phrases are constructed in a manner designed to make them appear to convey unbridled confidence on the part of a histopathologist, rather than what they are in actuality, that is, a cover abjectly for tentativeness. Scrutiny of the lingo, in very abbreviated form, just catalogued reveals it to be devoid of content utterly."
 
Ackerman AB, Mones J "Atypical" blue nevus, "malignant" blue nevus, and "metastasizing" blue nevus. Dermatopathology: Practical & Conceptual, 10(1);2004.
 
Other works of ABA in which the ideas contrary are expressed:
 
1. Ackerman AB, Cerroni L, Kerl H. Pitfalls in Histopathologic Diagnosis of Malignant Melanoma. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1994.
 
2. Ackerman AB, Cavegn BM, Casintahan MF, Robinson MJ. Resolving Quandaries in Dermatology, Pathology and Dermatopathology. Promethean Medical Press/Waverly, 1995.