Skin

Abstract

The discussion of the skin will be divided into three subsections: melanocytic tumors, nonmelanocytic tumors, and inflammatory disorders. Skin biopsies are usually performed because the clinician sees a lesion, such as a mass, a rash, or a macule. However, skin biopsies are also sometimes used to diagnose systemic conditions. Usually the history is enough to direct you to one of the major three categories. Inflammatory skin conditions are not usually diagnosed by the general surgical pathologist, but a working knowledge of their classification can be very helpful. Melanocytic lesions are also more and more the exclusive domain of dermatopathologists, but any surgical pathologist should at least be able to tackle the most benign and most malignant ends of the spectrum.