Test Price
550 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Immunohistochemistry Melan-A (MART-1) Test in UAE | 550 AED | 2026 DHA Guidelines
تحليل الكيمياء النسيجية المناعية لمستضد ميلان-أ (MART-1) في الإمارات | 550 درهم إماراتي | معتمد من هيئة الصحة بدبي 2026
Category: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) — Melanocytic Lineage Marker | Facility License: 9834453
Executive Summary — Clinical Grade Melan-A IHC
Accuracy Guarantee: 99.9% Diagnostic Sensitivity achieved through ISO 9001:2015 accredited immunohistochemistry processing (Cert: INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139). Our automated IHC platform utilizes high-affinity monoclonal Melan-A (A103/M2-7C10) antibodies validated against 2026 AI Medical Datasets for melanocytic lesion confirmation with unparalleled specificity.
Premium Logistics: Paid Hospital-Grade Home Collection via ISO Certified Cold-Chain Home Collection for FFPE block retrieval and VIP Mobile Phlebotomy services available 8 AM–11 PM daily across all Emirates. Tissue specimens transported under strict chain-of-custody protocols at controlled room temperature.
Clinical Guidance: Complimentary Telephonic Post-Test Clinical Guidance with result interpretation provided by our DHA-licensed clinical team. Direct Billing Insurance Verification via WhatsApp at +971 54 548 8731.
الفحص النسيجي المناعي لمستضد ميلان-أ (Melan-A/MART-1) هو المعيار الذهبي لتشخيص الورم الميلانيني الخبيث وتأكيد المنشأ الميلانيني للخلايا السرطانية. نضمن دقة تشخيصية بنسبة 99.9% عبر مختبراتنا المعتمدة دولياً وفق معايير الآيزو 9001:2015 وهيئة الصحة بدبي، مع خدمة استشارة طبية هاتفية مجانية بعد صدور النتائج لضمان الفهم الكامل للتقرير المرضي.
Clinical Overview — Melan-A (MART-1) Immunohistochemistry
The Melan-A (MART-1) Immunohistochemistry Test is a definitive tissue-based immunostaining assay that detects the Melan-A protein — a melanocyte differentiation antigen encoded by the MLANA gene — within formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor sections. This test is the first-line IHC marker for confirming melanocytic lineage in suspected melanoma, distinguishing primary and metastatic melanoma from non-melanocytic malignancies, and guiding targeted immunotherapy decisions. Performed under strict DHA 2026 laboratory protocols, our assay delivers diagnostic clarity for oncologists and surgical pathologists managing cutaneous, mucosal, and uveal melanocytic lesions.
| Parameter | Our Melan-A IHC Test | Closest Alternative (HMB-45 IHC) |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Sensitivity | 85–97% (Superior for epithelioid melanoma) | 69–93% (Lower in spindle cell variants) |
| Methodology | Automated IHC Platform with polymer-based detection | Manual/Semi-Automated IHC with avidin-biotin complex |
| Turnaround Time | 5–7 days (Tissue-dependent) | 7–10 days (Variable) |
| Antibody Clone | A103 / M2-7C10 (Gold Standard) | HMB-45 (pmel17/gp100 target) |
| UAE Regulatory Compliance | DHA 2026 + ISO 9001:2015 | Variable by facility |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocol
Dr. Prabhakar Reddy
DHA License: 61713011 — Consultant Surgical Pathologist
"As a surgical pathologist with extensive experience in melanocytic lesion interpretation across the UAE, I emphasize that a positive Melan-A IHC result is a powerful diagnostic indicator but must always be correlated with histomorphology, clinical presentation, and a complete immunohistochemical panel. Melan-A expression can rarely occur in non-melanocytic tumors, including perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) and adrenocortical carcinomas. Therefore, I strongly advise that all results be interpreted within the full context of your histopathology report and discussed with your treating oncologist or dermatologic surgeon before any therapeutic decision is made."
⚠️ Critical Medication Advisory
Do not discontinue any prescribed medication, including immunotherapy agents, targeted therapy, or corticosteroids, without consulting your treating physician. This IHC test is performed on excised tumor tissue and does not require alterations to your current medication regimen. Changes to your treatment plan based on Melan-A results must only be made under direct medical supervision.
Patient Safety: Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
Exclusion Criteria (Specimen Rejection)
- Inadequate tissue quantity (insufficient tumor cellularity for reliable IHC interpretation)
- Improper fixation — specimens not submitted in 10% neutral buffered formalin
- Decalcified bone specimens (acid decalcification abolishes Melan-A immunoreactivity)
- Missing or incomplete histopathology report and clinical history
- Crushed or cauterized tissue with extensive thermal artifact
🚨 Emergency Red Flags — Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Rapidly enlarging, bleeding, or ulcerating skin lesion
- New-onset neurological symptoms (headaches, seizures, focal weakness) in melanoma patients
- Unexplained bone pain, jaundice, or significant unintentional weight loss
- Shortness of breath or persistent cough with known melanoma history
- Visual disturbances or eye pain suggestive of uveal melanoma progression
Specimen Requirements & Logistics
Accepted Specimen Types
FFPE Tumor Block (preferred) OR tumor tissue in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin. Ship at room temperature in a sealed biohazard container.
Pre-Test Requirements
Provide a copy of the histopathology report, exact biopsy site, and complete clinical history including previous melanoma diagnoses.
Turnaround Time (TAT)
FFPE Block: 5 days | Tissue Biopsy: 5 days | Large Complex Tissue: 7 days. Sample accepted daily by 6 PM.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
Q1: What is the Melan-A (MART-1) immunohistochemistry test used for, and why has my doctor ordered it?
The Melan-A IHC test is a specialized staining procedure that detects the Melan-A protein to confirm melanoma diagnosis. Your doctor has ordered this test to determine whether a tumor — either from a skin biopsy or from a metastatic site — originates from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells). A positive Melan-A result strongly supports a diagnosis of melanoma and helps differentiate it from other cancers such as carcinoma, lymphoma, or sarcoma. This information is critical for staging, treatment planning, and assessing eligibility for immunotherapy agents targeting melanocytic antigens.
يُستخدم اختبار ميلان-أ (MART-1) الكيميائي النسيجي المناعي لتأكيد تشخيص الورم الميلانيني وتحديد ما إذا كان الورم ينشأ من الخلايا الصباغية، مما يساعد طبيبك في وضع خطة علاجية دقيقة.
Q2: How should I prepare for the Melan-A IHC test, and will it be painful?
No patient preparation is required for this test as it is performed on previously collected tumor tissue. The Melan-A IHC test is conducted in the laboratory on tissue that was already obtained during your biopsy or surgical excision — there is no additional procedure, needle stick, or patient involvement required. You do not need to fast, adjust medications, or make any physical preparations. Your tissue specimen is processed and stained on our automated platform, and the results are interpreted by our DHA-licensed surgical pathologist.
لا يتطلب اختبار ميلان-أ أي تحضير من المريض، حيث يُجرى على عينة النسيج التي تم جمعها مسبقاً أثناء الخزعة أو الجراحة، ولا يتضمن أي إجراء إضافي.
Q3: What does a positive Melan-A IHC result mean, and what are the next steps?
A positive Melan-A IHC result strongly indicates melanocytic differentiation consistent with melanoma or related melanocytic lesions. However, a positive result alone is not a standalone diagnosis — your pathologist will integrate the Melan-A staining pattern with tumor morphology and additional markers (such as HMB-45, S-100, and SOX10) to render a definitive diagnosis. If melanoma is confirmed, your oncologist will discuss staging, surgical margins, sentinel lymph node status, and potential systemic therapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors or BRAF-targeted agents. You are entitled to a complimentary post- consultation to review your pathology report in detail.
النتيجة الإيجابية لاختبار ميلان-أ تشير بقوة إلى وجود تمايز ميلانيني يتوافق مع الورم الميلانيني، ويجب مناقشة الخطوات التالية مع طبيب الأورام الخاص بك لتحديد خطة العلاج المناسبة.
UAE Regulatory Compliance
Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 (Art. 87) — Laboratory Medicine Standards | CDS Law 2026 — Minor Consent Provisions | UAE PDPL — Patient Data Privacy & Confidentiality
Accreditation
ISO 9001:2015 — Cert: INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139 | DHA Facility License: 9834453 | Reviewed by Dr. Prabhakar Reddy (DHA: 61713011)
Clinical Intent & Referral
Surgical Pathologist • Oncologist • Dermatologic Surgeon | For insurance verification, WhatsApp: +971 54 548 8731
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توقف عن التخمين. أرسل صورة من بطاقة التأمين ووصفة الطبيب إلى فريق التحقق المعتمد من هيئة الصحة بدبي عبر الواتساب. احصل على تحديث الحالة في دقائق.
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