Microsatellites
Microscopic satellites (microsatellites) in primary melanoma are defined as one or more discontinuous nests of neoplastic melanocytes measuring more than 0.05 mm in diameter that are clearly separated by normal dermis1.
The AJCC have refined and clarified the definition in the 8th edition of melanoma staging as; a microscopic cutaneous and/or subcutaneous metastasis adjacent or deep to, but discontinuous from, a primary melanoma detected on pathological examination of the primary tumour site4.
Also see: satellite tumour.
