PATHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS IN MALIGNANT SKIN TUMORS

Abstract

Skin cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the skin. There are two distinct types of skin cancer: nonmelanoma and melanoma. Melanoma is cancer of pigmented cells and is far more dangerous than nonmelanoma, which is the most common cancer in the United States. This article discusses the pathology of nonmelanoma skin cancers in depth, focusing on the two most common types of carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma develops from the surface of the epidermis and accounts for about one-fourth of nonmelanoma cases. Basal cell carcinoma is believed to derive from the basal layer of the epidermis or follicular epithelium, accounting for roughly three-fourths of cases. Immunohistochemistry is an extremely valuable adjunct to the standard morphologic diagnosis in diagnostic pathology. The diagnosis of epithelial tumors depends significantly on morphological features, but in rare cases, immunohistochemical stains are needed for a definitive diagnosis.

Received 28 June 2023
Revised 26 September 2023
Accepted 29 November 2023