title: Obtaining an Adequate Specimen for the Diagnosis of Pigmented Lesions.
abstract: Melanoma is a common, potentially deadly disease but is curable if caught early. A specimen of a pigmented lesion must capture the entire width and depth of the lesion to evaluate the lesion's size, symmetry, and circumscription. Saucerization shaving, punching, and excision biopsy are 3 techniques that can be used to achieve a satisfactory specimen. Physicians should have a low threshold to biopsy a suspicious atypical pigmented lesion, but acceptable specimens are key in following through with an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: From the Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology (AS, SRF); the Department of Pathology (SEW, SRF); the Department of Public Health Sciences (SRF); and the Department of Family and Community Medicine (CMM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC.
authors.forename: Alyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.affiliation: From the Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology (AS, SRF); the Department of Pathology (SEW, SRF); the Department of Public Health Sciences (SRF); and the Department of Family and Community Medicine (CMM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC.
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: From the Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology (AS, SRF); the Department of Pathology (SEW, SRF); the Department of Public Health Sciences (SRF); and the Department of Family and Community Medicine (CMM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.affiliation: From the Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology (AS, SRF); the Department of Pathology (SEW, SRF); the Department of Public Health Sciences (SRF); and the Department of Family and Community Medicine (CMM), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. sfeldman@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009506:Nevus / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Biopsy; Dermatology; Histology; Melanocytic; Melanoma; Nevi