The influence of a gene-expression signature on the treatment of diagnostically challenging melanocytic lesions

Aim: The effect of a gene-expression-based test on treatment of melanocytic neoplasms by dermatologists was evaluated. Patients & methods: Pathologists submitted diagnostically challenging melanocytic neoplasms to a clinical laboratory for testing accompanied by pretest surveys documenting the intended treatment recommendations. The actual treatment rendered by dermatologists was then documented after testing. Changes between the pretest recommendations and actual treatment were analyzed. Results: In 71.4% (55/77) of cases, there was a change from pretest recommendations to actual treatment. The majority of changes were consistent with the test result. There was an 80.5% (33/41) reduction in the number of biopsy site re-excisions performed for cases with a benign test result. Conclusion: The actual treatment of diagnostically challenging melanocytic neoplasms is influenced by the test.