Histopathologic Reporting of Melanoma

Abstract

The pathology report (see Appendix) should include the following minimum information: diagnosis (i.e., malignant melanoma, in situ or invasive), depth of tumor invasion (in millimeters) measured vertically from the granular layer of the epidermis or from the surface of an ulcer with an ocular micrometer), and the adequacy of and proximity of surgical margins (Table 33). The following histologic features should also be reported or mentioned if present: mitotic rate per square millimeter, ulceration, angiotropism, desmoplasia or neurotropism, marked or virtually complete regression, microscopic satellites, and true vascular/lymphatic invasion. Other prognostic factors, such as anatomic level, host response, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes might be reported as well (see Appendix for additional discussion).