APPROPRIATE USE CRITERIA FOR ANCILLARY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IN DERMATOPATHOLOGY

The ASDP’s appropriate use criteria committee has designated six key clinical scenarios in dermatopathology as "majority usually appropriate" for ancillary diagnostic GEP testing. These scenarios include melanocytic lesions in adult and pediatric patients for which a distinction between benign melanocytic nevi and melanoma cannot be made.

GUIDELINES FOR CUTANEOUS MELANOMA PRINCIPLES OF MOLECULAR TESTING

The NCCN guidelines direct physicians to consider the use of molecular testing, including GEP, in melanocytic lesions that are equivocal by histopathology. These tests facilitate a more definitive diagnosis and guide treatment decisions in lesions that are diagnostically ambiguous.

GUIDELINES OF CARE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY CUTANEOUS MELANOMA

The AAD supports the use of ancillary diagnostic molecular techniques (e.g., GEP, CGH, FISH) for equivocal melanocytic neoplasms. These tests may help to differentiate benign nevi from cutaneous melanoma, including atypical Spitz tumors.

Use of molecular testing to diagnose ambiguous melanocytic lesions

The SCPWG advocates for the use of GEP tests to distinguish between benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. This recommendation is based on the evidence that has shown GEP to improve key diagnostic parameters compared to histopathology alone.