Anatomische und histologische Grundlagen. Entstehung eines Melanoms aus einem Nävus-Zellnävus scheinbar gesunder Haut. Differentialdiagnostische Abgrenzung der Melanome: Naevus pigmentosus, Keratosis senilis, Verruca seborrhoica, pigmentiertes Basaliom, Naevus coerulens, Angiome und als Melanoma in situ der Morbus Dubreuilh. Klinische Bilder des Melanoms: in der Tiefe der Haut liegende, oberflächlich flache oder exophytisch wachsende Tumoren. Nah- und Fernmetastasen des Primärtumors (Trick, Röntgenaufnahmen, histologische Schnittbilder, Gewebekulturen).

In human skin melanocytes and nevus cells are differentiated. Melanocytes may undergo malignant change and may become melanoma cells. Their high mobility is made visible by microcinematography. The first part of the film concerns itself with manifestations on the skin which are due to usually benign nevus cells. Alterations of the skin which must be regarded as melanomas are shown in the second part. Finally, the author refers to treatment of melanoma. Subsequent to the therapeutic part proximal and distal metastases of the melanoma are shown.