What is Dermatopathology?

Dermatopathology is a subspecialty of anatomic pathology focusing on skin diseases and includes the study of skin disorders at a microscopic level. It encompasses both the diagnosis of individual patients and the study of the causes or pathogenesis of skin diseases at the cellular level.

The Role of a Dermatopathologist

Dermatopathologists are physicians with special training and expertise in the interpretation of skin biopsies. They provide a personal service that includes expert analysis and interpretation of medical information based on microscopic observations.

What Makes a Dermatopathologist an Expert?

Dermatopathology certification requires four years of medical school, a three- to five-year residency program in either dermatology or general pathology, followed by a one- to two-year fellowship training in dermatopathology. A dermatopathology fellowship includes either six months in clinical dermatology for physicians with a pathology background or six months in pathology training for those with a dermatology background.

Consulting a Dermatopathologist

There are an estimated 1,500 different rashes and skin tumors. Such a high number of various skin diseases, including variants, makes dermatology and dermatopathology among the most complex specialties in medicine.

While dermatologists can recognize many skin diseases by their appearance, location on the body and behavior over time, there are occasions when a visual examination and history just aren't enough to render a proper diagnosis. That's when a skin biopsy should be taken and microscopically examined by an expert dermatopathologist to reveal the histology of the disease and clarify the patient's diagnosis.