The Melanoma Pathology Report: What to Expect and How to Interpret It

Pathological information is critical to patient management in melanoma. A uniform approach based on current evidence is crucial and is summarised in this paper. Essential clinical and pathological parameters to report are the BAUSSS biomarker prognostic criteria: Breslow thickness, patient Age, presence of Ulceration, melanoma Subtype, patient Sex, and anatomic Site. Other important parameters to include are adnexal and periadnexal extension, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, intravascular and abluminal lymphovascular invasion, microsatellites and in-transit metastases, perineural invasion, and margins. Additional recommended parameters to include are mitotic activity, regression, association with nevi and atypical melanocytic hyperplasia. The significance of special stains and genetic studies are also discussed.