Abstract
Context.-Melanocytic lesions are common in routine surgical pathology. Although the majority of these lesions can be confidently diagnosed using well-established morphologic criteria, there is a significant subset of lesions that can be diagnostically difficult. These can be a source of anxiety for patients, clinicians, and pathologists, and the potential consequences of a missed diagnosis of melanoma are serious.
Objective.-To provide a practical approach to the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions, including classic problem areas as well as suggestions for common challenges and appropriate incorporation of ancillary molecular techniques.
Data Sources.-Literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar, incorporating numerous search terms relevant to the particular section, combined with contemporaneous texts and lessons from personal experience.
Conclusions.-Although a subset of melanocytic lesions can be diagnostically challenging, the combination of a methodical approach to histologic assessment, knowledge of potential diagnostic pitfalls, opinions from trusted colleagues, and judicious use of ancillary techniques can help the pathologist navigate this difficult area.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 789-810 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | ARCHIVES OF PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE |
| Volume | 143 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2019 |
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A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis of Melanocytic Lesions. / Harvey, Nathan T.; Wood, Benjamin A.
In: ARCHIVES OF PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE, Vol. 143, No. 7, 07.2019, p. 789-810.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis of Melanocytic Lesions
AU - Harvey, Nathan T.
AU - Wood, Benjamin A.
PY - 2019/7
Y1 - 2019/7
N2 - Context.-Melanocytic lesions are common in routine surgical pathology. Although the majority of these lesions can be confidently diagnosed using well-established morphologic criteria, there is a significant subset of lesions that can be diagnostically difficult. These can be a source of anxiety for patients, clinicians, and pathologists, and the potential consequences of a missed diagnosis of melanoma are serious.Objective.-To provide a practical approach to the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions, including classic problem areas as well as suggestions for common challenges and appropriate incorporation of ancillary molecular techniques.Data Sources.-Literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar, incorporating numerous search terms relevant to the particular section, combined with contemporaneous texts and lessons from personal experience.Conclusions.-Although a subset of melanocytic lesions can be diagnostically challenging, the combination of a methodical approach to histologic assessment, knowledge of potential diagnostic pitfalls, opinions from trusted colleagues, and judicious use of ancillary techniques can help the pathologist navigate this difficult area.
AB - Context.-Melanocytic lesions are common in routine surgical pathology. Although the majority of these lesions can be confidently diagnosed using well-established morphologic criteria, there is a significant subset of lesions that can be diagnostically difficult. These can be a source of anxiety for patients, clinicians, and pathologists, and the potential consequences of a missed diagnosis of melanoma are serious.Objective.-To provide a practical approach to the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions, including classic problem areas as well as suggestions for common challenges and appropriate incorporation of ancillary molecular techniques.Data Sources.-Literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar, incorporating numerous search terms relevant to the particular section, combined with contemporaneous texts and lessons from personal experience.Conclusions.-Although a subset of melanocytic lesions can be diagnostically challenging, the combination of a methodical approach to histologic assessment, knowledge of potential diagnostic pitfalls, opinions from trusted colleagues, and judicious use of ancillary techniques can help the pathologist navigate this difficult area.
KW - LYMPH-NODE BIOPSY
KW - IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION
KW - ATYPICAL SPITZ TUMORS
KW - CELLULAR BLUE NEVUS
KW - SUN-DAMAGED SKIN
KW - PIGMENTED EPITHELIOID MELANOCYTOMA
KW - COMPARATIVE GENOMIC HYBRIDIZATION
KW - MOLECULAR CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS
KW - COPY NUMBER VARIATIONS
KW - ANIMAL-TYPE MELANOMA
UR - https://www.archivesofpathology.org/
U2 - 10.5858/arpa.2017-0547-RA
DO - 10.5858/arpa.2017-0547-RA
M3 - Article
VL - 143
SP - 789
EP - 810
JO - ARCHIVES OF PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE
JF - ARCHIVES OF PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE
SN - 0363-0153
IS - 7
ER -