TRADITIONALLY tumors have been divided into those of ectodermal and those of mesodermal origin. The malignant neoplasms have been similarly divided into carcinoma, including melanoma, and sarcoma. However, this classification is not completely satisfactory, since in some cases epithelioma, especially melanoma, reacts in the body in the same highly malignant manner as sarcoma. Furthermore, in some cases sarcoma—in many of the cases neurosarcoma—is actually of ectodermal origin. However, common usage makes this classification the most workable at this time.
A voluminous literature has developed around the problems presented by cases of cutaneous epithelioma and melanoma. While sarcoma is not completely neglected, comparatively little can be found in dermatologic writings concerning it. Beerman,1 in his excellent review on tumors of the skin, did not find enough to enable him to consider sarcoma. Yet the dermatologist is often called on to diagnose and eradicate the smaller sarcomatous lesions. As will be