title: The self-reported use of immunostains and cytogenetic testing in the diagnosis of melanoma by practicing U.S. pathologists of 10 selected states.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of melanoma can be challenging, especially in lesions for which the histopathologic criteria bridge two or more taxonomic categories. Newer genomic analytical methods of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) have been introduced as ancillary techniques to differentiate benign and malignant melanocytic proliferations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated how pathologists perceive and are incorporating these new cytogenetic testing technologies into their practices. We conducted a study of 207 U.S. pathologists who interpret melanocytic lesions in clinical practice in 10 SEER states. Pathologists were surveyed regarding perceptions and utilization of FISH and/or CGH in their clinical practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that 38% of pathologists use FISH and/or CGH in interpreting melanocytic lesions. Pathologists reporting FISH and/or CGH use were significantly younger (p < 0.05), were fellowship trained or board certified in dermatopathology (p < 0.001) and were affiliated with an academic institute (p < 0.001). Pathologists reporting that their colleagues consider them an expert in the assessment of melanocytic lesions were more likely to employ FISH and/or CGH in their practices than non-experts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early users of cytogenetic testing technologies in cutaneous pathology are more likely to be younger, affiliated with an academic institution and fellowship trained or board certified in dermatopathology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Ge
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kachiu C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Frederick
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Data Science, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.|Department of Epidemiology, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.|Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Onega
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.|Dermatopathology Northwest, Bellevue, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Piepkorn
authors.affiliation: Pathology Associates, Clovis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Stevan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knezevich
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France.|Institut Curie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Raymond L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Barnhill
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Joann G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Elmore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012651:Self Medication; D057566:Self Report; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: CGH; FISH; dermatopathology