Dermatopathology is a medical subspecialty involving the study and diagnosis of skin disorders. This subspecialty combines dermatology (study of the skin) and pathology (study of disease). Dermatopathologists are pathologists or anatomical dermatologists who complete an additional year of specialized dermatopathology training. Unlike patient-facing dermatologists, the majority of dermatopathologists' work is performed in a laboratory setting where they may employ advanced equipment and testing methods to thoroughly review skin samples. Dermatopathologists may evaluate patient samples from a specific health center, or review specimens referred from other clinics. Conditions a dermatopathologist may diagnose include:
If a biopsy feature or irregularity signals a specific condition, dermatopathologists may then diagnose patients and advise suitable treatments. Dermatopathologists use the following methods, among others, to detect disease:
Dermatopathologists are physicians who specialize in dermatology and complete additional years of training in pathology. They may collaborate with dermatologists, pediatric dermatologists, dermatologic surgeons, hematopathologists, pathologists, and laboratory technicians.
