The purpose of this research is to identify biological characteristics occurring in the initiation and progression of melanoma.
Pathologically-proven diagnosis of melanoma.
Patient must have a test or procedure that has the potential to provide left-over tissue that can be banked for future research purposes OR the patient has already had a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure but who has not yet been approached to participate is also eligible.
Any patient with significant contraindications to venipuncture (e.g., severe anemia) will be excluded from blood collection procedures. However, if the patient provides consent and a paraffin-embedded block or 10-15 unstained slides of their tissue diagnosis, they will not be excluded from this protocol.
Any patient unable or unwilling to provide consent.
Patients with melanoma.
Other
Prospective
Tissue and blood collection
Other interventionTissue will be obtained from a previous biopsy if available, or if unavailable, tissue will be collected from a scheduled biopsy. About3-4 teaspoons of blood will be collected.
Molecular changes in patients' melanoma tissue
Tissue is collected upon consent or upon receipt of parafin block, primary aim will be met when all tissues are collected and analyzed at conclusion of study. Intent is to aid patients and their treating physician when making treatment decisions.
Improve the time between ordering the test and results entry into medical records
To enhance the speed and detail of molecular mutation profiling of melanoma
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