Working closely with your oncologist, your pathologist performs and reads laboratory tests to determine the type and stage of cancer present. These doctors have special training to detect and diagnose cancer. Dermatopathologists have special expertise in interpreting skin specimens, including melanoma, and all melanoma specimens are reviewed by dermatopatholgists here. They use a microscope to examine tissue samples taken during a biopsy. As with radiologists, you may not meet your pathologist.