The utilization of spitz-related nomenclature in the histological interpretation of cutaneous melanocytic lesions by practicing pathologists: results from the M-Path study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors and spitzoid melanomas ('spitzoid lesions') represent controversial and poorly understood cutaneous melanocytic lesions that are difficult to diagnose histologically. It is unknown how these terms are used by pathologists.

Methods

We describe use of Spitz-related terminology using data from the Melanoma Pathology (M-Path) study database comprising pathologists' interpretations of biopsy slides, a nation-wide study evaluating practicing US pathologists' (N = 187) diagnoses of melanocytic lesions (8976 independent diagnostic assessments on 240 total test cases, with 1 slide per case).

Results

Most pathologists (90%) used the Spitz-related terminology. However, significant variation exists in which specific lesions were diagno

SUBMITTER: Zhao G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5177484 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature