The blood test, called the TA-90, reveals whether deadly traces of the tumor have already spread to other parts of the body, reported CBS 2 News. It looks for certain proteins that show up mostly on cancer tissue.
Doctors use a blood test that checks for antibodies of the protein.
If the protein is present, the sample turns yellow. If found early enough, melanomas can often be cured by surgery alone, said the television station. But occasionally, a few cells escape the scalpel. Those cells can show up in the body months or even years later. Cancer Institute Dr. Donald Morton told CBS 2 News the blood test helps identify those at greatest risk.