Melanoma Diagnosis

The only way to make a definitive melanoma diagnosis is through a biopsy. During this procedure, the doctor will try to remove all of the suspicious-looking growth. If the growth is large, a sample of the tissue will be removed. Once a melanoma diagnosis is made, the doctor will need to learn the extent, or stage, of melanoma in order to plan the appropriate treatment.

Melanoma Cancer

Melanoma Diagnosis: An Overview

If the doctor suspects that a spot on the skin is melanoma, the patient will need to have a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to make a definite melanoma diagnosis.

Making a Melanoma Diagnosis Through a Biopsy

In order to make a melanoma diagnosis using a biopsy, the doctor will try to remove all of the suspicious-looking growth. This is called an excisional biopsy. If the growth is too large to be removed entirely, the doctor will remove a sample of the tissue. The doctor will never "shave off" or cauterize a growth that might be melanoma.

A biopsy can usually be done in the doctor's office using local anesthesia. A pathologist (a doctor who studies diseases) will then examine the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Sometimes, it is helpful for more than one pathologist to check the tissue for cancer cells.

Melanoma Diagnosis and Staging

If a melanoma diagnosis is made, the doctor will need to learn the extent, or stage, of melanoma before planning treatment. This is called staging. You can read more about melanoma staging by going to the full eMedTV article, Stages of Melanoma.