Should I get gene expression profiling to assess recurrence risk

Gene Expression Profiling for Melanoma Recurrence Risk

That's an important question to discuss with your oncology team. Let me explain what gene expression profiling is and how it relates to melanoma care.

What Gene Expression Profiling Does

Gene expression profiling is a test that measures which genes are "turned on" or "turned off" in your melanoma cells. This activity pattern can help predict how aggressive your cancer might be and whether it's more likely to come back.

Current Role in Melanoma Care

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Melanoma (2025), the standard testing approach for melanoma includes:

• BRAF mutation testing (if not already done) - This is the primary genetic test recommended for melanoma
• Biomarker assessment to guide treatment decisions
• Clinical staging based on tumor characteristics like Breslow thickness (how deep the tumor grew) and other pathologic features

The NCCN guidelines emphasize that accurate testing is needed to correctly identify the type of melanoma and see if it has spread. However, the current standard recommendations focus on BRAF and other specific mutations rather than broader gene expression profiling as a routine recurrence risk assessment tool.

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist

Since gene expression profiling isn't universally recommended in standard NCCN guidelines, here are specific questions for your care team:

1. "Based on my specific melanoma characteristics (stage, thickness, ulceration), what is my recurrence risk?"
2. "Do you recommend gene expression profiling for my situation, and if so, which test?"
3. "How would the results of gene expression profiling change my treatment plan?"
4. "Are there clinical trials using gene expression profiling that might be appropriate for me?"
5. "What other biomarkers or tests do you recommend to assess my recurrence risk?"

Important Context

Your oncologist will consider your complete clinical picture—including your melanoma stage, tumor characteristics, and whether you've had any recurrence—to determine which tests are most helpful for your specific situation.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.