Uveal melanoma laboratory tests
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]
Overview
Some patients with uveal melanoma may have elevated concentration of complete and differential blood counts and elevated liver enzyme levels, which is usually suggestive of metastasis of uveal melanoma to the liver.[1]
Laboratory Tests
CBC
Liver function tests
Liver function tests include checking for serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase. These tests can be elevated in uveal melanoma that has metastasized to the liver. The following tests may be done on the sample of tissue to get more information about prognosis of uveal melanoma:[1]
Cytogenetic analysis
A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under a microscope to look for certain changes in the chromosomes.
Gene expression profiling
A laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are checked for certain types of RNA. A biopsy may result in retinal detachment which can can be repaired by surgery.
Biopsy
As almost all cases of uveal melanoma can be accurately diagnosed by the eye exam and imaging tests, a biopsy is not often needed. However, some doctors have started using biopsies to get a sample of the tumor for gene testing. This can help predict whether the melanoma is likely to come back outside of the eye at some point
- Biopsy of the uveal melanoma is not preffered because it can be hard to get a sample of the tumor without damaging the eye.
- Biopsy could possibly spread the tumor within or outside of the eye.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Uveal melanoma. National Cancer Institute(2015) http://www.cancer.gov/types/eye/hp/intraocular-melanoma-treatment-pdq Accessed on October 24 2015