Melanoma is a malignancy of the melanocytes; this disease is experiencing a rising incidence worldwide. Melanoma ranks second to adult leukemia in loss of years of potential life per death.
Laboratory Testing
Tests generally appear in the order most useful for common clinical situations
| Test name: Cytokeratin 8,18 Low Molecular Weight (CAM 5.2) by Immunohistochemistry |
| ARUP #: 2003493 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of melanoma Stained and returned to client pathologist; consultation available if needed |
| Test name: Melanoma Antibody, HMB45 by Immunohistochemistry |
| ARUP #: 2003935 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of melanoma Stained and returned to client pathologist; consultation available if needed |
| Test name: Ki-67 Tissue Assay, Paraffin |
| ARUP #: 0049270 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of melanoma Stained and resulted by ARUP |
| Test name: Melan A by Immunohistochemistry |
| ARUP #: 2003996 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of melanoma Stained and returned to client pathologist; consultation available if needed |
| Test name: S-100 Protein by Immunohistochemistry |
| ARUP #: 2004127 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of melanoma Stained and returned to client pathologist; consultation available if needed |
| Test name: Vimentin by Immunohistochemistry |
| ARUP #: 2004181 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of melanoma Stained and returned to client pathologist; consultation available if needed |
| Test name: p21 (Waf1/Cip 1) by Immunohistochemistry |
| ARUP #: 2004067 |
| Methodology: Immunohistochemistry |
| Use: Aid in histologic diagnosis of melanoma Stained and returned to client pathologist; consultation available if needed |
| Test name: KIT Mutations, Melanoma |
| ARUP #: 2002695 |
| Methodology: Polymerase Chain Reaction/High Resolution Melt Analysis |
| Use: Aid in prediction of response to either imatinib (Gleevec®) or CD117 inhibitor therapy |
| Test name: BRAF codon 600 Mutation Detection by Pyrosequencing |
| ARUP #: 2002498 |
| Methodology: Polymerase Chain Reaction/Pyrosequencing |
| Use: Test for BRAF mutation; may be helpful in determining response to therapy BRAF mutations may indicate a tumor that will respond to drugs targeted at genes downstream of BRAF in the MAPK signaling cascade |
| Test name: NRAS Mutation Detection by Pyrosequencing |
| ARUP #: 2003123 |
| Methodology: Polymerase Chain Reaction/Pyrosequencing |
| Use: Test for NRAS mutations prior to undergoing treatment with anti-EGFR therapies NRAS mutations may indicate a tumor that will respond to drugs targeted at genes downstream of NRAS in the MAPK signaling cascade |
| Test name: Lactate Dehydrogenase, Serum or Plasma |
| ARUP #: 0020006 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Enzymatic |
| Use: Monitor treatment and determine prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma |
| Limitations: Not used for diagnosis |
| Test name: S-100B Protein, Serum |
| ARUP #: 2001766 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Use: Monitor treatment and determine prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma |
| Limitations: Not used for diagnosis; S-100B is not specific for malignant melanoma; increased serum concentrations are found in patients with liver and renal injury, inflammation, infection, and brain injury |