GEP testing for melanoma is a significant advance in precision dermatology in recent years, and patients across South Jersey are asking about it more than ever. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with melanoma, you may have heard the term “gene expression profiling” and wondered what it actually means for your care. This page breaks it down in plain language, explains how the test works, and describes how the board-certified dermatologists at HMGS Dermatology in South Jersey, use this technology to guide smarter, more personalized treatment decisions. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
What Is GEP Testing for Melanoma and How Does It Work?
Gene expression profiling, or GEP testing, is a molecular diagnostic tool that analyzes the biological activity of specific genes within a melanoma tumor. Rather than relying solely on traditional staging criteria such as tumor thickness or ulceration, GEP testing examines patterns of gene activity to help physicians assess the biological behavior of a specific tumor. This gives clinicians a more precise picture of how a melanoma may behave over time.
The most widely studied GEP test in melanoma care is a 31-gene expression profile that classifies tumors into risk categories. Research suggests that tumors in higher-risk classes are more likely to spread to distant sites, while lower-risk classifications may indicate a more favorable prognosis. This molecular information layers on top of traditional pathology findings, helping dermatologists and oncologists make more informed decisions about surveillance intensity and potential surgical and oncology referrals.
GEP testing is performed on tumor tissue that is already collected during your initial biopsy or surgical excision, so no additional procedure is required in most cases. The results are typically available within a few weeks and are reviewed in the context of your full clinical picture. At HMGS Dermatology, this kind of precision diagnostic information is incorporated into a broader conversation about your individual care, not treated as a standalone data point. Our physicians have contributed to over 620 peer-reviewed publications, which reflects the research-level thinking they bring to patient care every day.
Who May Benefit from GEP Testing in Melanoma Management?
Not every melanoma patient will be a candidate for GEP testing, and this is an important distinction. The test is most commonly considered for patients with stage I or stage II melanoma. For patients whose tumor thickness places them in a borderline risk category, GEP testing may help provide additional prognostic clarity.
Your dermatologist will typically consider several factors before recommending GEP testing, including tumor depth, patient age, and overall health. Patients with thin but biologically aggressive tumors may benefit from the additional insight that molecular profiling provides. Conversely, patients with very early-stage, low-risk lesions may not require the additional information.
A Note on Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
GEP testing is sometimes discussed in relation to sentinel lymph node biopsy decisions. Research suggests that GEP results may help inform the conversation about whether sentinel lymph node biopsy is appropriate for certain patients, though this is an evolving area and decisions are always made on an individual basis in consultation with your care team.
If you have already had a thorough mole check or melanoma evaluation, talk to your provider about whether your pathology report and staging information might make you a candidate for molecular testing. HMGS Dermatology’s nine board-certified dermatologists and five APPs are equipped to guide that conversation with both clinical experience and research-informed perspective.
GEP Testing Melanoma Results: What to Expect and How They Are Used
Once your GEP test results are returned, your dermatologist will review them alongside your existing pathology findings, staging information, and medical history. The results are typically reported as a risk class, often Class 1 (lower risk) or Class 2 (higher risk), and some tests further subdivide these categories to provide even more granular prognostic information.
A higher-risk result does not mean the melanoma staging has changed. It means your physician may recommend more frequent follow-up visits, closer imaging surveillance, or an earlier referral to a surgical oncologist or multidisciplinary team. A lower-risk result may support a less intensive monitoring schedule for some patients, though ongoing dermatologic surveillance remains important regardless of GEP class.
Individual results may vary, and no single test predicts the future with certainty. GEP testing is one input in a clinical decision-making process that always centers the whole patient.
Patients throughout South Jersey should feel empowered to ask their dermatologist about all available tools, including molecular testing, during their skin cancer evaluation. Our team welcomes these conversations and encourages patients to bring their questions. You can also explore more dermatology education on the HMGS Dermatology blog.
Why Choose HMGS Dermatology in South Jersey?
When it comes to something as serious as melanoma, you want a practice that operates at both an academic and a clinical level. HMGS Dermatology brings both to South Jersey. Our nine board-certified dermatologists and 5 APPs have trained at institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, CHOP, UCSF, Temple University, and Rutgers University, and our physicians serve as professors and program directors for the Dermatology Residency at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. We do not just practice dermatology; we teach the next generation of dermatologists.
With more than 620 peer-reviewed publications and the 2025 Master Dermatologist Award from the American Academy of Dermatology earned by one of our own physicians, HMGS brings a depth of expertise that is genuinely rare outside of academic medical centers. We have served several generations of South Jersey families across our three locations in Hammonton, Marlton, and Camden, and we have won more Top Doctor awards in the region than any other dermatology group. If you are navigating a melanoma diagnosis, you deserve a team that stays current with precision medicine tools and cares about your outcome as a neighbor, not just a patient. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About GEP Testing for Melanoma
Is GEP testing the same as genetic testing for hereditary melanoma risk?
No. GEP testing analyzes gene activity within a tumor that has already been removed, helping to assess how that specific melanoma may behave. Hereditary genetic testing looks at germline DNA to evaluate inherited risk for developing melanoma in the first place. They serve different purposes and may both be relevant depending on your situation. Ask your provider which, if either, is appropriate for you.
Does insurance typically cover GEP testing for melanoma?
Coverage for GEP testing varies by insurance plan and clinical indication. Some payers cover molecular profiling when specific criteria are met, such as tumor thickness thresholds or staging considerations. Our team can help you understand your options. You can also review general insurance information on our insurance resources page or ask at your consultation.
Can HMGS Dermatology order GEP testing directly, or do I need a referral to oncology first?
In many cases, a dermatologist can order GEP testing as part of your post-biopsy workup without an oncology referral. HMGS Dermatology’s physicians are experienced in incorporating molecular diagnostics into comprehensive melanoma management. Depending on your staging and clinical needs, we may also coordinate care with surgical oncology or medical oncology to ensure a complete team approach.
How long does it take to receive GEP test results?
GEP results are typically returned within a few weeks from the time the tissue sample is submitted to the laboratory. The timeline can vary slightly depending on the specific test ordered and the laboratory’s processing schedule. Your HMGS provider will let you know what to expect and will schedule a follow-up appointment to review the results in full context with your clinical picture.
Are there other precision medicine tools available for melanoma patients in South Jersey?
GEP testing is one component of a broader precision medicine approach to melanoma. Depending on your diagnosis and staging, your provider may also discuss other molecular tests or refer you for additional evaluation. HMGS Dermatology stays current with advances in the field through ongoing research and academic involvement, so patients here have access to informed, up-to-date guidance.
Schedule Your Melanoma Consultation at HMGS Dermatology in South Jersey
If you are researching GEP testing for melanoma and want guidance from a team with genuine academic depth and decades of South Jersey roots, HMGS Dermatology is ready to help. Our board-certified dermatologists serve patients across Hammonton, Marlton, Camden, and the surrounding region. Contact us online to schedule your consultation.
Board Certified Dermatologists and Partners
Dr. Warren Heymann, Dr. Steven Manders, Dr. Justin Green, Dr. Lacy Sommer, Dr. Patrick McMahon, and Dr. Camille Introcaso, MD
The partners of HMGS Dermatology represent some of the most highly trained, accomplished, and respected dermatologists in the region, bringing together decades of expertise across general, pediatric, surgical, and academic dermatology. With education and training from some of the nation’s top institutions—including the University of Pennsylvania, UCSF, Temple, and Rutgers—they are board-certified in multiple subspecialties such as dermatology, pediatric dermatology, and dermatopathology. Many serve as professors and program directors at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, shaping the future of dermatology through teaching, research, and leadership. Collectively, they have held prestigious roles such as division heads, board directors, and presidents of dermatologic societies, while earning recognition through numerous “Top Doctor” awards and lifetime achievement honors. Whether advancing innovation in pediatric care, cutaneous oncology, or medical education, the HMGS partners are united by their commitment to excellence and providing the highest standard of compassionate, expert skin care to their patients.