Health Dictionary

Overview

There are no laboratory findings associated with the diagnosis of melanoma. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may be elevated among patients with metastasis.

Laboratory Findings

There are no laboratory findings associated with the diagnosis of melanoma. Measurement of serum LDH may be considered for follow-up among patients who have been diagnosed with stage IB-IV melanoma.^[1]

Once metastatic melanoma is diagnosed, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may be helpful for follow-up.^[1]
For patients with stage IB-IV melanoma, measurement of serum LDH may be considered every 6-12 months.^[1]

Diagnosis

The following algorithm illustrates the approach to patients with suspected melanoma.^[1]

Suspicious pigmented lesion

Biopsy

Inadequate

Rebiopsy

Melanoma confirmed

Breslow thickness

Ulceration status

Mitotic rate

Depth and peripheral margin status

Presence of satellitosis

Clark level for lesions ≤ 1 mm

Reassessment with complete physical examination, including neurological exam and lymph node assessment

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Coit DG, Andtbacka R, Anker CJ, Bichakjian CK, Carson WE, Daud A; et al. (2013). “Melanoma, version 2.2013: featured updates to the NCCN guidelines”. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 11 (4): 395–407. PMID 23584343.

Dysplastic nevus laboratory tests