title: Ultrarapid staining for cutaneous melanoma: study and protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunohistochemistry has revolutionized the use of frozen sections for the removal of melanoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Two studies were performed to address the best and fastest way to stain melanocytes in frozen tissue sections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six standing cones were taken from sun-damaged white skin and stained with combinations of anti-S-100, anti-HMB-45, anti-Melan-A, and azure B with appropriate controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anti-Melan-A was the best immunohistochemical stain. Azure B stains melanin granules metachromatically green and allows differentiation of melanocytes and melanophages. Ultrarapid staining worked as well as rapid staining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dako's EnVision ultrarapid staining protocol and azure B counterstain represent a dramatic improvement and should be considered the easily obtainable histologic standard when excising cutaneous melanoma.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 52205, USA. davisdaniela@uams.edu
authors: Daniel A
authors: DA
authors: Davis
authors: Kevin A
authors: KA
authors: Kurtz
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Robinson
mesh_terms: D005629:Frozen Sections / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*