How can doctors tell if I have melanoma?
To find out if you have melanoma, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist (skin doctor) to check your skin thoroughly.
An exam Your doctor will ask you questions about the mole or concerning area of skin, such as, “How long have you had it?” and “What changes have you noticed?” Your doctor will look closely at the concerning area and check the rest of your skin for any changes. A biopsy If your doctor finds a suspicious area, they will take a sample of your skin so it can be looked at under a microscope. There are three types of skin biopsies:
In a shave biopsy, your doctor will remove a sample from the top layer of your skin with a small surgical blade. They do this if the mole or area appears to be only on the top layer of your skin.
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In a punch biopsy, your doctor will press a special tool with a round blade into your skin to remove the entire spot. They do this if the mole or area appears to be in deeper layers of skin.
Sending the sample to a lab The biopsy sample is then sent to a lab where a trained doctor (a pathologist or dermatopathologist) will look at it under a microscope to see if it is melanoma. If you have a mole or area of skin you are concerned about, see a dermatologist.
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In an excision biopsy, your doctor will use a surgical blade to remove an oval-shaped piece of skin. This removes the whole concerning area as well as a border of normal skin, called a margin. They do this if they think the mole or area is suspicious for melanoma.
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4 Melanoma Patient and Caregiver Guide | Stages 0–1
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