RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Obtaining an Adequate Specimen for the Diagnosis of Pigmented Lesions
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 523
OP 525
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2015.04.150043
VO 28
IS 4
A1 Alyson Snyder
A1 Sara E. West
A1 Christopher M. Miles
A1 Steven R. Feldman
YR 2015
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/28/4/523.abstract
AB Melanoma is a common, potentially deadly disease but is curable if caught early. A specimen of a pigmented lesion must capture the entire width and depth of the lesion to evaluate the lesion's size, symmetry, and circumscription. Saucerization shaving, punching, and excision biopsy are 3 techniques that can be used to achieve a satisfactory specimen. Physicians should have a low threshold to biopsy a suspicious atypical pigmented lesion, but acceptable specimens are key in following through with an accurate diagnosis.