Angiogenesis is an important factor in tumor proliferation and metastasis in numerous solid tumors. Angiogenesis was studied in malignant melanoma using different endothelial markers and different quantifying methods, with controversial results. We performed a morphometric study of angiogenesis in 14 cases of advanced primary melanoma of the face, using a highly specific marker for tumor endothelial cells (CD105) associated with a specific marker for proliferation (Ki-67) and an automated system for image analysis. Our results showed an increased vascular area in peritumoral regions compared to intratumoral regions, with larger, regular, dilated peritumoral blood vessels and small, collapsed with thick-walled intratumoral blood vessels. Endoglin expression was high in intratumoral regions and moderate to weak in peritumoral regions. Ki-67 expression was negative in peritumoral regions and weakly positive in some cases in intratumoral regions. Endoglin may be a better marker to assess neovascularity in malignant melanoma of the face, as well as a better pronostic indicator, as it specifically binds to endothelial tumor cells, allowing to differentiate between neovascularity and pre-existing blood vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]