[Cutaneous melanoma].

Cutaneous melanoma is the most malignant skin tumor with great potential to develop metastases. For 50 years, its incidence has greatly increased worldwide, including Mexico. Although some risk factors are known, early diagnosis and treatment are still the only strategies that have shown to improve prognosis. Management of cutaneous melanoma is still a challenge. In this article we present a review and update of cutaneous melanoma, its epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, classification, diagnosis criteria, relevance of the sentinel node, management, treatment, and prevention.