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What is a Dermatopathologist?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A dermatopathologist is a doctor who specializes in skin diseases. This may sound like an obscure area of specialty, but over 1,500 conditions involving the skin are recognized and the myriad ways in which they present really can occupy a doctor or researcher for an entire career. Dermatopathology is a recognized clinical subspecialty and people who work in this field usually apply for certification because it indicates that they have met the requirements of a certifying board and are likely highly skilled.

To become a dermatopathologist, it is necessary to attend medical school and then receive training in a pathology or dermatology residency. Once qualified, the doctor can pursue a fellowship in dermatopathology. Board certification in both the primary and secondary specialty is usually recommended, and a dermatopathologist usually attends numerous conferences over the course of a career to keep up with advances in the field. Some dermatopathologists are also actively involved in research and have publication credits to their names.

Dermatology is the medical field that focuses on skin health.
Dermatology is the medical field that focuses on skin health.

The dermatopathologist acts as a clinical consultant. When a dermatologist takes a biopsy from a patient with a skin condition, the sample can be sent to a dermatopathologist for examination. One advantage of using a specialist is that the dermatopathologist may have seen the condition before, and may thus arrive at a more accurate diagnosis more quickly. The dermatopathologist can also make treatment recommendations and assist the dermatologist with providing the best level of care to the patient.

Dermatopathologist may be able to provide more insight into certain skin diseases than a dermatologist.
Dermatopathologist may be able to provide more insight into certain skin diseases than a dermatologist.

Pathologists also sometimes have use for a dermatopathologist. When pathologists conduct examinations of deceased individuals or samples of tissue, sometimes they encounter things which are unfamiliar. A specialist like a dermatopathologist can be called upon for a second opinion which may confirm the suspicions of the pathologist or reveal new information which could help narrow down a cause of death or direct a course of treatment. It is also not uncommon for a dermatopathologist to supervise a dermatology grand rounds or a discussion on morbidity and mortality in a dermatology department because she or he has advanced training in skin diseases.

A dermatopathologist may work in a laboratory setting to investigate the cause of a skin disease.
A dermatopathologist may work in a laboratory setting to investigate the cause of a skin disease.

Dermatopathology is a highly competitive field. People who enter the field from a dermatology residency must also contend with the fierce competition to get into dermatology programs, because dermatology is a highly desirable medical specialty. Individuals who are interested in this medical career should plan on getting excellent grades and test scores to increase their chances of matching into programs which will meet their needs.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Dermatology is the medical field that focuses on skin health.
      By: Deyan Georgiev
      Dermatology is the medical field that focuses on skin health.
    • Dermatopathologist may be able to provide more insight into certain skin diseases than a dermatologist.
      By: michaeljung
      Dermatopathologist may be able to provide more insight into certain skin diseases than a dermatologist.
    • A dermatopathologist may work in a laboratory setting to investigate the cause of a skin disease.
      By: nandyphotos
      A dermatopathologist may work in a laboratory setting to investigate the cause of a skin disease.
    • Dermatopathologists who discover cancer will analyze the sample to determine the type and stage.
      By: kasto
      Dermatopathologists who discover cancer will analyze the sample to determine the type and stage.