Abnormal growths, discoloration, or other changes of the skin may indicate the presence of disease.
If you or your doctor notice changes to your skin, your doctor may suspect a type of skin disease or cancer.
Types of Skin Disease
Skin disease takes many forms:
- Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, which occurs when cells grow abnormally. It begins in the basal cells that make up the bottom-most layer of the skin.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most common form of skin cancer; it involves all layers of the skin.
- Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, which are the cells that give skin its color.
- A nevus, or mole, is a noncancerous (benign) type of birthmark.
Because it's not possible to determine what kind of skin disease is present through observation alone, your doctor may refer you for further testing, which may include performing a biopsy.
The Role of the Pathologist
The pathologist will examine your skin tissue biopsy sample and provide a diagnosis that will help your doctor formulate the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
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