You might have a number of tests to investigate your symptoms and confirm a diagnosis of melanoma, including:
If you are diagnosed with melanoma, you might have more tests to determine the stage of the disease and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps your medical team plan the best treatment for you.
Melanoma is divided into 5 stages, depending on its thickness in the skin, and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs:
American Cancer Society (2015). Melanoma skin cancer www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanoma-skin-cancer-what-is-melanoma.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2014). NCCN guidelines for patients: melanoma, version 1.2014 http://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/melanoma/index.html.
National Cancer Institute (US) (2015). Melanoma treatment (PDQ®) http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient, patient version.