• What is dermatopathology?
• What is a dermatopathologist?
• Has your biopsy or excision been sent to us?
• Have you received a bill from our office?

What is dermatopathology?

Dermatopathology is a specialized field of pathology, involving the microscopic examination of skin, hair, and nails for diseases, such as skin cancers and rashes.


What is a dermatopathologist?

A dermatopathologist specializes in the interpretation of biopsies of skin, hair, and nails for the presence of disease. To be board certified in dermatopathology, a physician must first complete medical school, followed by residency training in either dermatology or pathology, and successfully pass the respective residency board exam. This physician pursues additional training in the specialized field of dermatopathology and then must again successfully pass the subspecialty board exam. All this training provides the physician with the skills to interpret skin biopsies for the presence of the many different varieties of skin disease.


Has your biopsy or excision been sent to us?

After your physician has performed either your biopsy or excision, this specimen will be submitted to our laboratory. Once received, the tissue will be processed by experienced laboratory technicians, ultimately cut into thin sections that can be placed on a glass slide and interpreted by our physicians under a microscope. After viewing your biopsy or excision under the microscope, the physician renders a diagnosis. This diagnosis will be submitted in the form of a written pathology report to your physician who originally performed the biopsy or excision.

All questions regarding your diagnosis and disease management should be directed to your physician due to the need for clinicopathologic correlation to best optimize your care.


Have you received a bill from our office?

If you have received a bill from our office, this bill indicates that your physician took a sample of skin from you and sent it to our laboratory for diagnosis.   If you have further questions, please contact our office.