Three Common Types of Skin Biopsies

Cancer, inflammations, and abnormal growths on the skin are commonly diagnosed by a procedure called skin biopsy. This procedure involves the removal of a small skin tissue sample and its examination under microscope. Most skin biopsies involve minor surgery, and may require local anesthesia, although they usually don't require hospital stay.

There are several types of skin biopsies. A few examples are given below:

What is a Dermatopathologist?

A dermatopathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing skin disorders under a microscope. His subspecialty is a combination of both dermatology, which is the diagnosis and treatment of skin, nail, and hair diseases, and pathology, which focuses on the identification of diseases. Dermatopathologists are like detectives, who need to make microscopic observations of skin cell and tissue samples, as well as evaluate the information given to them by the physician who performed the biopsy, to make a definitive diagnosis.

Correlation of Dermatology and Pathology

Dermatopathology is a combined specialty of dermatology and surgical pathology which focuses on skin diseases at a microscopic and cellular level. Most Dermatopathologists have been primarily trained in dermatology, and they usually work with dermatologists. The role of the dermatologist in this practice is to recognize skin diseases in relation to their appearances and associated symptoms. However, there are cases when the criteria provided is not enough to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis, so biopsies are taken so they can be examined microscopically by a trained Dermatopathologist in order to render an accurate diagnosis.

Basic Facts on Anatomic Pathology

Anatomic pathology is a branch of pathology that examines anatomical specimens to have more information about the process of diseases and cause of deaths. When it comes to cancer, anatomic pathologists examine biopsy samples that surgeons take from their patients in order to find out if the sample is cancerous or not.

There are different sub-specialties in anatomic pathology. The major ones are: dermpatopathology (examination and study of the skin), neuropathology (examination of brain tissue) and cytopathology (study of cells in samples). Others specialties are molecular pathology, osteopathology, and forensic pathology.

Pathologists: The Doctors of Doctors

Although oncologists are doctors whose expertise lies in diagnosing, understanding, and treating cancer, many of the principles that they use are linked to pathology. In fact, pathologists are sometimes called the “doctors' doctors” because their specialized knowledge in the diagnosis, cause, development, and characteristics of disease is applied in various branches of the medical field and is relied upon by treating physicians in order to determine treatment options for their patient.

Explaining the Role of the Dermatopathologist

When you have a skin condition or problem, your dermatologist mayhave to perform a series of tests to accurately determine what your condition actually is. Oftentimes, he will take a few samples of your affected skin or in other parts of your body like your nails or hair. He will then send these samples to a dermatopathologist who will mircoscopically analyze them to render a diagnosis.

The Role of Molecular Diagnostics in Medicine

Some diseases it seems, regardless of how many precautions you take, still strike sooner or later in life – especially if it is programmed into your DNA. For so many years, people who have hereditary conditions could do little but to brace for the possibility of developing the disease and hope that there would be a cure. This is where molecular diagnostics come in.

In this branch of science, professionals analyze the DNA patterns of individuals as well as their DNA's genetic content. Scientists here aim to identify a person's or family line's DNA sequence that has or may bring about genetic mutations that can lead to certain diseases. Moreover, molecular diagnostic studies are also beneficial in identifying specific strains of viruses or bacteria that cause infections.