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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Melanocytic Atypia
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 11, 2000 12:00AM
, Jun 11, 2000 12:00AM
Dean:
The term atypia is very ill-defined. It depends on who reads the slide. Basically, it means, "I think the cells look a little irregular," but to a significant extent that is a subjective judgment, and pathologists differ among themselves. In my own practice, I work with an experienced dermatopathologist. When she says, "mild atypia," I know what she means: forget about it. If the cells look more disordered, she'll add: "I recommend complete removal," just to be sure.
I assume your dermatologist has as much confidence in his skin pathologist as I do in mine. If so, then just finding the word "atypia" in the biopsy report doesn't mean anything at all. If you're uncertain, I'd put the question bluntly: "Look, does this thing have to come off or not?" If thr answer is, No!" (as it surely will be, or else he would have called you back for more surgery), I would ignre thw whole matter and just go for whatever routine surveillance is planned anyway.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Rockoff
The term atypia is very ill-defined. It depends on who reads the slide. Basically, it means, "I think the cells look a little irregular," but to a significant extent that is a subjective judgment, and pathologists differ among themselves. In my own practice, I work with an experienced dermatopathologist. When she says, "mild atypia," I know what she means: forget about it. If the cells look more disordered, she'll add: "I recommend complete removal," just to be sure.
I assume your dermatologist has as much confidence in his skin pathologist as I do in mine. If so, then just finding the word "atypia" in the biopsy report doesn't mean anything at all. If you're uncertain, I'd put the question bluntly: "Look, does this thing have to come off or not?" If thr answer is, No!" (as it surely will be, or else he would have called you back for more surgery), I would ignre thw whole matter and just go for whatever routine surveillance is planned anyway.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Rockoff
