How is Melanoma Diagnosed?

Biopsy

A biopsy is an invasive form of examination in which a sample of tissue is taken from the suspicious skin lesion and examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine its abnormal cellular properties.

A representative slice of the skin lesion can be taken (an incisional biopsy) in order to look at the cells. An excisional biopsy is when the whole skin lesion is removed for further diagnosis as the depth of the tumour is indicative of staging.

A sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) is a technique sometimes used to determine whether melanoma has metastasised to the lymph nodes. The procedure involves the injection of a radioactive blue tracer dye around the site of the primary lesion and then examination of the first lymph node to take up the dye.

The SLNB is an accurate diagnostic procedure that provides an insight into prognosis but the current evidence is not conclusive regarding its impact on overall survival.

Pathology

Skin samples taken by biopsy are sent to a pathologist for microscopic examination and diagnosis. A pathology report states the diagnosis and describes many aspects of the appearance of the melanoma including the type, depth, lymphatic activity, ulceration, mitotic count, regression and the presence of absence of melanoma cells at the edges of the tissue sample.

It is important to request a copy of your pathology report as it will contain information vital for your melanoma staging and treatment.