ABSTRACT
Translational research in melanoma has been hampered by limited access to tumor tissue, especially from primary melanomas. This chapter reviews the potential research uses of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh-frozen melanoma tissue, discuss the medicolegal issues that surround acquisition of primary melanomas and precursor lesions, and discusses our protocol for acquiring frozen tissue from primary melanomas for research purposes without compromising the diagnostic process. The identification of successful techniques to analyze FFPE tissue is essential because there is such a vast repository of melanoma specimens in clinical laboratories and hospitals, often with complete clinical annotation. The other potential legal cause of action that might be leveled against a physician researcher in procuring melanoma specimens is one for lack of informed consent. The majority of melanoma tissue available for acquisition and cryostorage in tissue banks is from advanced-stage patients with bulky metastatic disease.
