An atypical nevus is typically smaller and more papular than the large, flat, slowly expanding patch of a lentigo maligna on sun-damaged skin.
A CMN is present from birth, whereas a lentigo maligna is an acquired lesion of older, sun-damaged skin.
A simple junctional nevus is small, symmetric, and uniform in color, lacking the large size, irregular shape, and color variegation of a lentigo maligna.
A simple solar lentigo ("sun spot") is a small, uniformly tan-to-brown macule that is stable, whereas a lentigo maligna is characterized by its slow but persistent growth and development of color variegation.
Lentigo maligna is a subtype of melanoma (in situ), but it is distinguished from invasive lentigo maligna melanoma by being completely flat, without any palpable or nodular component.
Lentigo maligna is a specific type of melanoma in situ, defined by its occurrence on chronically sun-damaged skin, particularly the head and neck.
A pigmented BCC may look like a dark patch, but it will often have subtle clues of a BCC, such as a pearly or translucent quality at the border.
A flat, pigmented SK (solar lentigo) can mimic early LM, but it often develops a waxy or verrucous texture over time.