Molecular Testing for Cutaneous Melanoma: An Update and Review.

CONTEXT.—: The steady rise in the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma and its inherently difficult-to-interpret histopathology continues to fuel an increasing demand for diagnostically and prognostically insightful adjunctive molecular tests among both clinicians and dermatopathologists. A number of DNA, RNA, and epigenetically based assays have now been developed and are at various stages of experimental and/or clinical use.

OBJECTIVE.—: To examine the evidence for the utility and limitations of these leading candidates for the diagnosis and risk stratification of melanoma and related melanocytic neoplasms.

DATA SOURCES.—: The available English medical literature was reviewed in the preparation of this manuscript.

CONCLUSIONS.—: Comparative genomic hybridization, fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA-based gene expression profiling, and immunohistochemical assays for novel genetic and epigenetic markers will help bring diagnostic and prognostic accuracy to the assessment of melanocytic neoplasms.