Diagnosis of Malignant melanoma

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In cases of suspected malignant melanoma a sample of tissue is normally removed from the area and sent to a laboratory for analysis (skin biopsy).

About 5% of melanomas show no visible colour. These are called amelanotic melanomas and in such cases the diagnosis can only be made by microscopic examination of the tissue. For this reason, whenever there is any reason to suspect the possibility of a melanoma, a biopsy should be taken.