FURTHER TESTS

If the initial biopsy shows melanoma, you may need further tests. Understanding the extent of the melanoma can help your doctor decide the best treatment option for you. There are several types of tests that can be used, though you might only need one or two of these.32

Lymph node biopsy
If the skin biopsy confirms you have a melanoma, a further biopsy might be needed to check if the melanoma has spread to your lymph nodes. There are two types of test that can help determine this:

Lymph node ultrasound and biopsy: Ultrasound scans use high frequency sound waves to create a picture of the area where the melanoma was. If the lymph nodes look abnormal, doctors (radiologists) use the ultrasound to help guide them as they take a biopsy.33
Sentinel lymph node biopsy: This is a test to find the first lymph node that a melanoma may spread to and check it for cancer cells.34 It involves injecting a dye into the lymph vessels next to where the melanoma was. The dye will flow along the lymph vessel and identify the nearest lymph node, so it can be removed.

The lymph node biopsy is sent for analysis to check if any melanoma cells have spread there.

Blood tests: Blood samples may be taken to check your general health, including how well your liver and kidneys are working, as well as check numbers of blood cells.35

CT scan: CT stands for computerised tomography. CT scans take X-ray pictures to find out whether the melanoma has spread to other parts of the body.36

PET-CT scan: A PET-CT scan combines a CT scan and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. The CT scan takes a series of x-rays from all around your body. The PET scan uses a mildly radioactive drug to show up areas of your body where cells are more active. Cancer cells are more active than normal cells, therefore, showing if the melanoma has spread.37

MRI scan: MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It produces pictures from angles all around the body and shows up soft tissues very clearly. It can show if the melanoma has spread to other parts of the body.38 If the results of your test/scans show the melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, your biopsy will need a BRAF test.

BRAF testing 38,39

Your doctor should test to see if your melanoma cells have certain genetic changes (mutations), such as the BRAF gene. Understanding if your melanoma cells have mutations may help your doctor decide which treatment is best for you.

BRAF acts as a ‘switch’ in normal cells to help regulate cell division and growth. If BRAF is mutated, the ‘switch’ is ‘on’ all the time, and ultimately contributes to uncontrolled cell growth.

If you have changes in the BRAF gene, doctors describe your melanoma as BRAF-positive. If you don’t have changes, then your melanoma is BRAF-negative or BRAF-wild type.

Approximately 50% of melanomas have a mutation in the BRAF gene. Amongst these, approximately 90% of mutations are in a specific part of the gene, called BRAF V600.

Multi-Disciplinary Team Review

If the analysis of your biopsy confirms that you have a melanoma and there is any suggestion of spread, your case will be discussed by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) which consists of two or more specialists. They can include:

Skin specialists (dermatologists)
Skin cancer nurse specialists
Surgeons
Oncologists (doctors who specialise in treating cancer)
Histopathologists (doctors who specialise in diagnosing illness from tissue specimens)40

The MDT may consider many factors when considering the most suitable treatment for you, including your general health and lifestyle factors, the stage of the melanoma, mutation test results and its location on your body.41 Following the MDT meeting, your doctor will discuss the treatment options with you.

You may want to ask your doctor these questions about tests for melanoma:

What tests do you suggest for me?

Where will the tests take place? Do I need to go to the hospital?

How long do the tests take?

Do I need to bring a list of my medications?

How long does it take to recover? Do I need any medication after the tests?

When will I know the results? Who will explain them to me?

If I have cancer, who will talk with me about the next steps? When?

Click HERE for a full list of REFERENCES numbers listed throughout the site (nos.1-58)

Latest

Sparks' London Marathon 2024

In memory of my friend who died of Melanoma.
Running the Cardiff Half Marathon

Melanoma UK provides a much needed service, this is a cancer which is on the increase in the UK and deserves more attention than it currently receives.
Jonny and Lauren taking on the Derby 10k!

This charity gets no government funding, and relies solely on people fundraising and donating. Skin cancer is something that could affect any of us, at any time in our lives.
May Brothers On Tour - Barcelona Marathon

On Sunday 10th March, myself and my brother Garry will be running the Barcelona Marathon in aid of Melanoma UK for a cause close to our hearts.

Melanoma UK provides patients and families with the much-needed support right from the point of diagnosis. Through education, advocacy and research, Melanoma UK strives to increase the awareness, understanding and prevention of melanoma skin cancer, which is the 5th most common cancer in the UK.

Any donations would be greatly apprecia

NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA?

After your melanoma diagnosis, you may receive information from every direction and you will have lots of questions: What will happen to me? What does all this mean? How will I cope? How can I tell my loved ones?
MELANOMA: LET'S GET UNDER THE SKIN OF IT

Let’s get under the skin of it is a campaign to encourage patients, loved ones, partners and carers to learn more about melanoma – whether recently diagnosed or simply hoping to learn more.
AFTERCARE

It’s important to regularly check yourself for any signs of melanoma. As you have already been diagnosed with melanoma, you are at a higher than average risk of having another melanoma in the future.
FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS

Your follow-up care depends on the stage of the melanoma. Follow-up appointments allow your doctor to monitor for possible recurrence of the melanoma.
SKIN BIOPSY

If your doctor does find a suspicious mole, a sample of tissue is removed (a biopsy) for examination under a microscope. The doctor first numbs the skin with an injection of a local anaesthetic. There are several types of biopsy
GETTING DIAGNOSED

See your doctor if you develop a new mole or notice a change in an existing mole or area of your skin (including under your nail). Even if you’re worried about what this might be, you shouldn’t delay seeing them. It might not be cancer.

THE 'ABCDE' RULE

Do You Know Your ABC...DE's? The ABCDE Rule of skin cancer is an easy-to-remember system for determining whether a mole or growth may be cancerous.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

About half of all melanomas start with a change in previously normal-looking skin. This usually looks like a dark area or an abnormal new mole.
SKIN SELF EXAMINATION

We recommend that you do a head-to-toe self-examination of your skin every month. This way you can find any new or changing lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous.
STAGES OF MELANOMA

The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe the size and depth of the melanoma, and whether it has spread. Knowing the stage of your cancer helps doctors decide on the best treatment for you.
LONGITUDINAL MELANONYCHIA

Longitudinal Melanonychia Guidance By Dr Christian Aldridge
Melanoma UK
2020 MELANOMA SKIN CANCER REPORT

Melanoma Global Coalition. For a second year, Melanoma UK is proudly supporting the 2020 global public awareness campaign in the fight against melanoma.
ME MELANOMA, NO CHANCE!

My Melanoma Journey as written by Jayne Williams
ALEX BAKER - MY MELANOMA STORY

In July 2017, Alex Baker noticed a small growth on his right shin. Here he shares his story, including several graphic photographs.
OVERVIEW OF MELANOMA

Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes. These cells make a pigment called melanin which gives skin its natural colour.