In the past, melanoma has been used to describe both the benign and malignant neoplasms. In general, '''melanocytoma''' is used to describe the benign neoplasm arising from melanocytes and '''melanoma''' is used synonymously with '''malignant melanoma'''. | In the past, melanoma has been used to describe both the benign and malignant neoplasms. In general, '''melanocytoma''' is used to describe the benign neoplasm arising from melanocytes and '''melanoma''' is used synonymously with '''malignant melanoma'''. |