The role of fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of melanoma

The role of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is discussed in the follow up of patients with the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. The review is based on literary data and the author's own material. The primary role of FNAB is to confirm metastatic or recurrent melanoma lesions. US or CT guided FNAB is valuable in the diagnosis of visceral metastases. FNAB has limited role in the diagnosis of primary melanomas except in cases with unusual clinical presentation (e.g. oral mucosa). In spite of the well-known cytology the diagnosis can be difficult due to the inherent histological variation of malignant melanomas, especially in cases with unusual localisation and amelanotic tumor presentation when immunocytochemistry is needed. The known clinical history of melanoma is very helpful.