Urine melanin is a test to determine the abnormal presence of melanin in the urine.
No special preparation is needed.
The test involves only normal urination.
This test is used to diagnose melanoma, a type of skin cancer that produces melanin. If the cancer spreads (especially within the liver), the cancer may produce enough of this substance that it shows up in the urine.
Normally, melanin is not present in urine.
If melanin is present in the urine, malignant melanoma is suspected.
There are no risks associated with this test.
This test is rarely performed as there are better diagnostic tests available.
Review Date:
2/5/2008
Reviewed By:
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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