Immunohistochemistry in cutaneous melanoma

Immunohistochemistry is based on the reaction antigen-antibody in a biological tissue, which allows an accurate understanding of its characteristics. At first, it has a value in the melanoma diagnostics, allowing to distinguish malignant melanocytes from benignant one. This technique has also a prognostic relevance in detecting tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and microvascular metastases, discerning the lymphatics from the blood vessels. These features, evaluated together with other indices, such as mitotic count, Ki-67 proliferation index, depth of dermal invasion and ulceration, allow to better stage the single case of melanoma. Moreover, a predictive therapeutic value can be obtained from a precise immunohistochemistry study, detecting the sensibility to chemotherapeutic agents and to the action of tumor-cytotoxic lymphocytes