Essentials of Pathology and Dermatopathology Evaluation for Melanocytic Tumors

This review provides a comprehensive summary of melanoma pathogenesis, histopathology, and molecular/genetic pathology. Updates and changes to melanoma pathologic staging are highlighted. Modern considerations for biopsy guidance and the use of frozen sections in the evaluation of melanocytic tumors are also discussed. Improved understanding of the molecular alterations in melanocyte neoplasia facilitates more accurate classification and risk stratification. This has led to the creation of an intermediary categorization for melanocytic neoplasms under the designation melanocytoma. The pathologic diagnosis of melanoma often requires synthesis of clinical findings, histopathologic changes, and molecular/genetic alterations.