External Medicine
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Melanoma: Diagnosis
GENETIC TESTS
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DermTech is a genetic test that measures genomic atypic by measuring RNA LINC00518 and PRAME, and anti-DNA TERT. The sample is obtained by stripping superficial layers of skin with tape.
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In a review of 44 cases for which a biopsy was performed after a DermTech test was performed (because of a positive test result, or clinical concern), it correctly identified 9 of 10 melanomas (5 in situ, 4 invasive) and missed 1 LM. Of 14 non-nevi, it incorrectly gave positive results to 11. 2 out of 2 severely dysplastic nevi were given positive results. 15 out 17 mild, moderate, or nevi otherwise considered to be of low malignant potential were classified as positive. Because many negative test results did not receive biopsy, sensitivity and specificity cannot be calculated, but this does highlight the relatively inaccurate nature of the test, particularly with respect to false positive results (~68% of results in this cohort were false positives). 37549792