My Pathology Report word for word, What does it mean?
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My Pathology Report word for word, What does it mean?

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › My Pathology Report word for word, What does it mean?

  • Post
    • September 17, 2013 at 3:26 am
    lidiapeters
    Participant

    TISSUE SUBMITTED

    1 shave/ excisional biopsy, right chest

    GROSS DESCRIPTION

    SCO one piece of shave/ excisional biopsy tissue from the right chest measuring 0.8 x 0.6 x 0.1cm

    the specimen is trisected and all tissue embedded.

    MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION

    Multiple serial sections of the submitted skin biopsy sample have been examined. There is a somewhat asymmetrical 4 to 5 mm diameter melanocytic lesion in the center of the skin surface. Most of the S-100 protein positive nevus cells are seen in the dermis and there is associated marked lymphocytic infiltrate suggesting some degree of regression. A few junctional nests are noted. These are epithelloid cells with larger nuclei and nucleoli. Biopsy findings suggest the so called Spark's nevus (ie, nevus with features of Spitz nevus and Clarks nevus). Considering older age and histological atypia with some dermal nevus cells present at the dermal margin focally, conservative re-excision of the lesional area recommended.

    DIAGNOSIS

    SHAVE/EXCISIONAL BIOPSY, RIGHT CHEST; ATYPICAL SPITZ NEVUS; CONSERVATIVE RE-EXCISION OF LESIONAL AREA RECOMMENDED

     

     

     

    Can anyone explain this?, All my dermatologist said is I do not have skin cancer, but said he saved my life?…mixed message?? and I am confused and scared and don't really understand my pathology report, anyone familiar with these finding? Any help I can get in understanding my pathology a little better would be much appreciated! 

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  • Replies
      • September 17, 2013 at 6:00 am
      Janner
      Participant
      How old are you? Spitz nevi are typically found in people under 20. So if you are older than that, I might request a second opinion on the pathology. Spitz nevi look almost identical to melanoma under the microscope, but are totally benign. It can take an expert to differentiate the two and age is definitely a consideration.
        • September 17, 2013 at 11:00 am
        lidiapeters
        Participant

        I am 46 years old Janner. My first biopsy was done by a pathologist, which type of expert should I see about my second opinion? Does this type of nevus get misdiagnosed alot? I just had the re-excision done 5 days ago and am waiting on those biopsy results, to see if they got it all. Should I wait for the second biopsy results before I seek a second opinion on my first biopsy? I mean if the second biopsy comes back that they have a clean margin, should I still get a second opinion then?

        • September 17, 2013 at 2:10 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Given your age, I think I would ask for a second opinion with a dermatopathologist that might specialize in Spitz Nevi as that is definitely a diagnosis you don't see much in someone your age.  Is the pathologist who read your slide a "dermatopathologist"?  One who specializes in skin?  You'd want to send the first biopsy slides for a second opinion.  I have recommended Boris Bastian and his staff at UCSF in the past because I know they have done some research specifically with Spitz Nevi.  There may be others, too, who are more familiar with spitz nevi and can reread your slides.  Unfortunately, I only have that one name.  This lesion may be totally fine and benign, but if you want to err on the side of caution, you could get that second opinion.

        • September 18, 2013 at 5:08 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        Ditto !

        • September 18, 2013 at 5:08 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        Ditto !

        • September 18, 2013 at 5:08 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        Ditto !

        • September 17, 2013 at 2:10 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Given your age, I think I would ask for a second opinion with a dermatopathologist that might specialize in Spitz Nevi as that is definitely a diagnosis you don't see much in someone your age.  Is the pathologist who read your slide a "dermatopathologist"?  One who specializes in skin?  You'd want to send the first biopsy slides for a second opinion.  I have recommended Boris Bastian and his staff at UCSF in the past because I know they have done some research specifically with Spitz Nevi.  There may be others, too, who are more familiar with spitz nevi and can reread your slides.  Unfortunately, I only have that one name.  This lesion may be totally fine and benign, but if you want to err on the side of caution, you could get that second opinion.

        • September 17, 2013 at 2:10 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Given your age, I think I would ask for a second opinion with a dermatopathologist that might specialize in Spitz Nevi as that is definitely a diagnosis you don't see much in someone your age.  Is the pathologist who read your slide a "dermatopathologist"?  One who specializes in skin?  You'd want to send the first biopsy slides for a second opinion.  I have recommended Boris Bastian and his staff at UCSF in the past because I know they have done some research specifically with Spitz Nevi.  There may be others, too, who are more familiar with spitz nevi and can reread your slides.  Unfortunately, I only have that one name.  This lesion may be totally fine and benign, but if you want to err on the side of caution, you could get that second opinion.

        • September 17, 2013 at 11:00 am
        lidiapeters
        Participant

        I am 46 years old Janner. My first biopsy was done by a pathologist, which type of expert should I see about my second opinion? Does this type of nevus get misdiagnosed alot? I just had the re-excision done 5 days ago and am waiting on those biopsy results, to see if they got it all. Should I wait for the second biopsy results before I seek a second opinion on my first biopsy? I mean if the second biopsy comes back that they have a clean margin, should I still get a second opinion then?

        • September 17, 2013 at 11:00 am
        lidiapeters
        Participant

        I am 46 years old Janner. My first biopsy was done by a pathologist, which type of expert should I see about my second opinion? Does this type of nevus get misdiagnosed alot? I just had the re-excision done 5 days ago and am waiting on those biopsy results, to see if they got it all. Should I wait for the second biopsy results before I seek a second opinion on my first biopsy? I mean if the second biopsy comes back that they have a clean margin, should I still get a second opinion then?

      • September 17, 2013 at 6:00 am
      Janner
      Participant
      How old are you? Spitz nevi are typically found in people under 20. So if you are older than that, I might request a second opinion on the pathology. Spitz nevi look almost identical to melanoma under the microscope, but are totally benign. It can take an expert to differentiate the two and age is definitely a consideration.
      • September 17, 2013 at 6:00 am
      Janner
      Participant
      How old are you? Spitz nevi are typically found in people under 20. So if you are older than that, I might request a second opinion on the pathology. Spitz nevi look almost identical to melanoma under the microscope, but are totally benign. It can take an expert to differentiate the two and age is definitely a consideration.
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