BRAF gene mutation test for melanoma

About half (50%) of all people with melanoma have a change in the melanoma cells called a BRAF V600e gene mutation. This causes the melanoma cells to make a protein that encourages the cells to grow.

Your doctor may arrange tests to look for this gene change. Tests can be done on melanoma cells that were removed during surgery. Or sometimes your doctor might want to take another sample of tissue to test. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse can explain more about testing for gene changes.

The results tell your cancer doctor if certain targeted and immunotherapy drugs will work for you, if you should need them.

If you have melanoma that has spread to the lymph nodes, your doctor may test the melanoma cells for any change to the genes. Changes to the genes in our cells are called mutations. A mutation in the BRAF gene can cause the cells to make a protein. The protein encourages melanoma cells to divide and grow.

If tests show you have a BRAF gene mutation in the melanoma cells, your doctor may offer you a combination of targeted therapies. This treatment helps to shrink or slow the growth of the melanoma. If you do not have the BRAF mutation, you may be offered immunotherapy treatment.