Recent advances and important issues in melanoma pathology: An update for oncologists Journal Article

  


Authors: Scolyer, R. A.; Thompson, J. F.; O'Toole, S. A.; Karim, R. Z.; Mihm, M. C. Jr; McCarthy, S. W.; Murali, R.
Article Title: Recent advances and important issues in melanoma pathology: An update for oncologists
Abstract: The critical role of pathology in the multidisciplinary care of melanoma patients is becoming apparent in the rapidly changing modern era of personalised and precisely targeted medicine. Recent insights into the molecular pathogenesis of melanoma have allowed traditional pathological assessment to be supplemented and enhanced by molecular pathology testing to improve classification, prognostication and selection of patients for targeted therapies. The pathology report remains pivotal as it establishes the definitive diagnosis of melanoma in most instances, while the assessment and documentation of key pathological parameters allow the most accurate determination of prognosis to be made and are utilised to guide the next stages of patient management. Molecular tests (including fluorescent in situ hybridisation) are now routinely utilised to enhance the accuracy of classification and prognostication of selected melanocytic tumours in many institutions. Recent studies have also highlighted important melanoma prognosticators such as mitotic rate, the presence and extent of ulceration, tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte grade and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Pathologists also play a key role in the triage and selection of appropriate tumour tissue and tumour cells to test for various molecular markers which are used to select patients who may benefit from targeted therapies. It is important that clinicians understand important aspects of molecular testing in melanoma, such as when and how to arrange testing, which specimen to test, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various testing methodologies. These issues are addressed in this review.
Journal Title: Cancer Forum
Volume: 36
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0311-306X
Publisher: Cancer Council Australia  
Date Published: 2012-11-01
Language: English
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:

http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84873440474&partnerID=40&md5=67769d472d94c998838ca300945fddb8
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 1" - "Export Date: 1 March 2013" - "CODEN: CAFOD" - "Source: Scopus"