OBSERVATIONS ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF SKIN CANCER.

The variations in the natural course of skin cancer are discussed in detail. Basal cell carcinoma (when properly classified) and squamous cell carcinoma have a reasonably predictable course; malignant melanoma and mycosis fungoides do not. Histological examination may not provide sufficient evidence on which to base a prognosis concerning a particular tumour; clinical evaluation may be of much greater value. The different rates of growth of any one tumour appear to be more closely related to host factors than to tumour virulence.