Dermatologists and subspecialty dermatopathologists,

Transcription

1 Practical Strategies to Improve the Clinical Utility of the Dermatopathology Report Martin J. Trotter, MD, PhD, FRCPC; Sheila Au, MD, FRCPC; Karen A. Naert, MD, FRCPC Context. Dermatologists and subspecialty dermatopathologists, working together over many years, develop a common understanding of clinical information provided on the requisition and of terminology used in the pathology report. Challenges arise for pathologists without additional subspecialty training in dermatology/dermatopathology, and for any pathologist reporting skin biopsies for nondermatologists such as general practitioners or surgeons. Objective. To provide practical strategies to improve efficiency of dermatopathology sign-out, at the same time providing the clinician with clear diagnostic and prognostic information to guide patient management. Data Sources. The information outlined in this review Dermatologists and subspecialty dermatopathologists, working together over many years, develop a common language that marries the clinical information provided on the pathology requisition with the terminology used in the pathology report. Challenges arise for pathologists without additional subspecialty training in dermatology/dermatopathology, and for any pathologist reporting skin biopsies for nondermatologists such as general practitioners or surgeons. This review is targeted at general surgical pathologists who are reporting skin biopsies. The objective is to provide practical strategies to improve efficiency of dermatopathology sign-out, while providing the clinician with clear diagnostic and prognostic information to guide patient management. Strategies such as including pertinent negatives in a report and using generic diagnoses where is based on our own experiences with routine dermatopathology and dermatology practice, and review of Englishlanguage articles related to the selected topics discussed. Conclusions. Using generic diagnoses for some benign lesions, listing pertinent negatives in the pathology report, and using logical risk management strategies when reporting on basal cell carcinoma, partial biopsies, or specimens with incomplete clinical information allow the pathologist to convey relevant and useful diagnostic information to the treating clinician. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2016;140: ; doi: / arpa ra) appropriate are discussed. Apart from interpretative and diagnostic challenges, many pathologists face difficulties interpreting the limited clinical information that is often provided on the requisition. Communication failures between clinicians and pathologists have implications for pathologist efficiency as well as the quality and safety of patient care. 1 Pathology reporting in the absence of complete clinical information or diagnosis of partial biopsy specimens is a significant risk to the patient and to the signout pathologist. We will discuss strategies to reduce this risk and communicate useful information to the treating clinician. The topics chosen reflect the authors experience based on intradepartmental consultation with general surgical pathology colleagues faced with challenges in dermatopathology reporting. Accepted for publication April 5, From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Dr Trotter) and the Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine (Dr Au), Providence Health Care, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Dr Trotter) and Dermatology and Skin Science (Dr Au), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Dr Naert). The authors have no relevant financial interest in the products or companies described in this article. Portions of this article were presented at the Canadian Anatomic and Molecular Pathology Conference; January 30, 2016; Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Reprints: Martin J. Trotter, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Providence Health Care, St. Paul s Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada ( mtrotter@providencehealth.bc.ca). IMPROVING EFFICIENCY USEFUL GENERIC DIAGNOSES While clearly there are many, many important diagnoses rendered by a pathologist reporting skin biopsies, there are also a large proportion of specimens in which a definitive pathologic diagnosis is often not possible, but the likelihood of missing a malignant or clinically important lesion is remote. 2 For such cases, accuracy/precision is relatively less important in terms of patient prognosis and care. It is very useful for the pathologist to have an armamentarium of generic diagnosis she/he can use to sign out such cases expediently in a clinically useful manner. Benign Keratoses Classic patterns of seborrheic keratosis are easily diagnosed but many benign keratotic epidermal lesions seem to defy precise classification. For example, is the lesion a Arch Pathol Lab Med Vol 140, August 2016 Dermatopathology Reporting Trotter et al 759

2 seborrheic keratosis or a wart (Figure 1, A)? When such benign lesions are difficult to classify, the terms benign keratosis or verrucous keratosis can be very helpful (sometimes with inclusion of the pertinent negatives [see below]). For lesions that are not clinically keratotic, the term squamous papilloma can sometimes be used, especially at certain anatomic sites such as the eyelid where there is often considerable overlap between seborrheic keratosis and a simple skin tag. Keratotic lesions that are flat histologically, with minimal epidermal thickening and no downward budding, can usefully be signed out as seborrheic keratosis, flat type, solar lentigo, flat type (usually on sun-damaged skin of head and neck), 3 or large cell acanthoma if the lesional keratinocytes are clearly markedly increased in size (Figure 1, B). 4 Lichenoid keratosis is a very common diagnosis with lesions most often occurring on the trunk and proximal upper limbs of middle-aged or older patients. 5 The lesion represents a lichenoid reaction to a solar lentigo or seborrheic keratosis. The clinical impression is often that of superficial basal cell carcinoma. Unless we are given a clear clinical history suggesting a lichenoid rash, then such a solitary lesion is almost always benign lichenoid keratosis (Figure 1, C). In our experience, this lesion often presents problems in classification for the nondermatopathologist. Finally, endophytic-pattern benign keratoses and similar benign squamoproliferative lesions can sometimes defy precise classification and often overlap in their histologic features. Within this category, diagnoses may include irritated seborrheic keratosis, 6 inverted follicular keratosis, 7 and endophytic pattern verruca vulgaris. When uncertain, benign endophytic squamoproliferative lesion, negative for atypia can usefully be used as a generic benign diagnosis for such lesions (Figure 1, D). Lentiginous Melanocytic Nevus Heavily pigmented melanocytic nevi are often biopsied. The pathology may show a lentiginous pattern nevus, sometimes purely junctional, associated with increased melanin pigmentation, sometimes with pigment transfer into overlying stratum corneum ( pigmented parakeratosis ) and melanophages in the dermis. Inexperienced pathologists sometimes confuse the histology of these nevi (also known as hypermelanotic nevi) 8 with an atypical or dysplastic pattern. Importantly, such nevi are not limited to young patients and are frequently seen in older individuals. 9 Lentiginous melanocytic nevus (Figure 2, A through D) is a useful diagnosis to have in our repertoire. This pattern of nevus is easily recognized pathologically and indeed is often a low-power diagnosis with a brief examination at higher magnification to exclude marked melanocytic atypia or other worrisome features. Eczematous Dermatitis Dermatologists rarely biopsy an eczematous lesion to differentiate between clinical variants of spongiotic dermatitis, so it is sufficient for the pathologist to recognize epidermal spongiosis and to classify the inflammatory reaction pattern as spongiotic. Subtle clues, such as superficial dyskeratotic keratinocytes in contact dermatitis can be used, but in most circumstances, the diagnosis spongiotic dermatitis is sufficient information for the clinician to manage the patient. For the dermatologist, a more usual situation occurs when a papulosquamous condition looks like dermatitis but may have atypical clinical features, thus expanding the differential diagnosis to include conditions such as psoriasis, subacute cutaneous lupus, pityriasis rosea, dermatophyte infection, or mycosis fungoides. When the pathologic process shows spongiotic dermatitis but the clinical differential diagnosis is broader, then the addition of pertinent negatives to the pathology report is very useful to the dermatologist (see below). For example: spongiotic dermatitis, fungal stain negative, spongiotic dermatitis, with features consistent with pityriasis rosea, or spongiotic dermatitis, negative for lymphocyte atypia or epidermotropism. JUST SAY NO : LISTING THE PERTINENT NEGATIVES Including pertinent negatives in the diagnosis, microscopic description, or comment section of our pathology report is very useful. Absence of certain findings can eliminate broad categories within the clinical differential diagnosis and increase clinician confidence in the pathologist s interpretation. Specifically excluding clinically suggested diagnoses (eg, there are no histopathologic features of lupus erythematosus, basal cell carcinoma is not present, there is no evidence of granulomatous inflammation ) directly answers the clinician s queried diagnoses noted on the requisition. Pertinent negatives included in the report should be relevant to the clinical information provided. Even when the histopathology correlates well with the clinical impression, a short listing of relevant negative findings within the microscopic description or comment section is often appreciated by the submitting dermatologist, providing assurance that the slides have been carefully reviewed, and increasing their confidence in our report. Benign Melanocytic Lesions When a clinician biopsies or removes a clinically suspicious pigmented lesion, but the pathologic process shows an entirely benign pattern, then pertinent negative findings may be helpful in assuring the clinician that the pathologist reviewed the slides carefully and was aware of the clinical atypia. No evidence of architectural or cytologic atypia, no evidence of pagetoid spread, or mitotic figures not seen can all be useful phrases. For example, if the clinical diagnosis is melanoma in situ, but the pathologic diagnosis is benign compound melanocytic nevus, then the report might include phraseology such as poorly demarcated lesion with mild architectural atypia only. No evidence of pagetoid spread or other features to suggest melanoma in situ. Epidermal Lesions Pathology reports on epidermal tumors thought clinically to be either malignant (squamous cell carcinoma) or virally induced (condyloma acuminatum), but showing benign, noninvasive lesions, or nonspecific changes on biopsy, can also benefit from inclusion of pertinent negatives, such as negative for atypia/dysplasia, full-thickness atypia, invasion, or viral cytopathic effect. For example, if the clinical impression is condyloma acuminatum but the biopsy is not diagnostic, then benign squamous papilloma; no definite human papillomavirus effect; no epidermal atypia can reassure the clinician that the clinical diagnosis has been considered and that diagnostic features are not present histologically. 760 Arch Pathol Lab Med Vol 140, August 2016 Dermatopathology Reporting Trotter et al

3 Figure 1. Useful generic diagnoses for keratotic lesions. A, Verrucous keratosis. B, Large cell acanthoma. C, Lichenoid keratosis. D, Irritated seborrheic keratosis (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnifications 320 [A, C, and D] and 3100 [B]). Nonneoplastic/Inflammatory Conditions Incorporation of negative findings into the pathology report may effectively exclude one or more of a clinician s differential diagnoses for a skin eruption or nonneoplastic condition. For example, if there is no lichenoid inflammation present histologically, the diagnosis is not lichen planus; absence of granulomata excludes sarcoidosis; lack of dermal mucin rules out a mucinosis. When certain inflammatory cells are absent, this should also be mentioned when relevant. For example, if the clinical diagnosis is insect bite reaction, urticaria, or bullous pemphigoid, the absence of eosinophils in the biopsy specimen should specifically be noted. The presence or absence of eosinophils can also be helpful in distinguishing a psoriasiform spongiotic reaction (often present) from psoriasis (absent), or a lichenoid drug reaction (present) (Figure 3, A and B) from lupus erythematosus (absent). Similarly for neutrophils in cases of suspected Sweet syndrome or other neutrophilic dermatosis and mast cells in cases of suspected urticaria pigmentosa. An example diagnosis for a patient suspected of having a lichenoid drug reaction might read Nonspecific spongiotic dermatitis. No evidence of a lichenoid reaction. Eosinophils not present. Fungal stain negative. DEALING WITH INSUFFICIENT CLINICAL INFORMATION Clinical information provided on the skin biopsy requisition is often lacking or suboptimal. 1,10 Missing clinical information results in pathologist inefficiency, uncertainty in diagnosis, and physician stress. In a recent study, 1 91% of dermatopathologists moderately or strongly agreed that vague clinical impressions or missing relevant clinical information makes them uneasy. Forty-four percent of respondents in this survey spent 30 minutes or more daily searching for relevant clinical information to assist histopathologic interpretation. Possible strategies to address lack of relevant clinical information are shown in the Table. Useful Terminology When no clinical information is provided (eg, requisition simply states skin biopsy or lesion ), it is our practice to include a disclaimer in the diagnostic line, regardless of whether the biopsy is diagnostic or not. For example, when no clinical information is provided, and the pathologic process shows benign nevus, the diagnosis might read intradermal melanocytic nevus (no clinical information provided). In such cases, it is usually highly inefficient to spend time contacting the clinician for more information. Arch Pathol Lab Med Vol 140, August 2016 Dermatopathology Reporting Trotter et al 761

4 Figure 2. Lentiginous (hypermelanotic) melanocytic nevus. A, Downgrowth of rete ridges, small junctional nests, heavily pigmented epidermis, and melanophages. B, Variably sized small junctional nests with underlying melanophages. C, Melanin transfer into the stratum corneum (pigmented parakeratosis). D, Dysplastic junctional melanocytic nevus showing architectural atypia with bridging of irregular junctional nests (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnifications 320 [A, B, and D] and 3100 [C]). Figure 3. Importance of eosinophils in inflammatory dermatoses. A, Low power of interface dermatitis consistent with lichen planus. B, Numerous eosinophils (arrows) in the inflammatory infiltrate suggest the differential diagnosis of lichenoid drug eruption (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnifications 320 [A] and 100 [B]). 762 Arch Pathol Lab Med Vol 140, August 2016 Dermatopathology Reporting Trotter et al

5 Possible Strategies to Address Lack of Relevant Clinical Information Strategy Specimen rejection at accessioning Pursuit of more clinical information Phone clinician Text/ clinician Request fax or scan of paper charts Access to medical record Use disclaimer terminology at signout to highlight potential limitations because of limited clinical information Potential Outcomes Highly inefficient Specimen still returned with minimal information Difficult to access Multiple calls often required Higher response rate Confidentiality/privacy issues Access to clinician notes Often restricted to laboratory information system Very helpful for inpatients if pathologist has access to PCIS Poor patient management Medicolegal risk Often the last resort Abbreviation: PCIS, patient care information system. The exception would be for partial biopsies or incomplete excisions (see below). When the pathologic interpretation is less clear, and no further clinical information can be obtained from the patient s physician, then generic phraseology is used (eg, lichenoid reaction; see comment). Within the comment section the inadequate or incomplete clinical information should be noted and any attempts to retrieve further clinical information, documented (eg, there is no record of a previous biopsy in our laboratory information system ; or voic left for Dr X at 1630 hours, May 6, 2015 addendum will be issued if further clinical information received ). Surprisingly, a recent study of reasons for addendum reports in surgical pathology does not list receipt of further clinical information as reason for an addendum to be issued. 11 THE INSUFFICIENT OR PARTIAL BIOPSY Not infrequently, the pathologist signing out skin biopsies will encounter specimens that have sampled only part of the lesion. This problem arises most commonly with superficial shave biopsies, which may lack even full-thickness epidermis, and with punch biopsies, where the lateral edges of the lesion often remain unsampled. Clearly, interpretation of these specimens risks misdiagnosis if the most salient histopathologic features are not present within the biopsy material. Melanocytic Lesions The odds of histopathologic misdiagnosis increases when assessing shave and punch biopsies of melanocytic lesions, as opposed to excisional biopsies. 12 This risk is highest for partially sampled, broad asymmetric melanocytic lesions, where diagnostic features of melanoma may be missed adjacent to what otherwise appears to be an atypical or dysplastic nevus. The latter point is highlighted by High s admonition to beware of a partial biopsy in his article on malpractice in dermatopathology. 13 It is essential that we use terminology that explicitly states both the partial nature of the biopsy and the diagnostic uncertainty because of the biopsy limitations (Figure 4, A through D). The terminology selected should reflect the level of concern held by the pathologist about a given lesion. For example, for a benign compound nevus or a mildly atypical nevus that has been partially transected by the biopsy and for which the risk to the patient is felt to be remote, a simple note appended to the diagnosis may suffice. For example: Compound melanocytic nevus with mild atypia (partial biopsy) (Figure 4, C). For more worrisome melanocytic lesions about which there is considerable concern, a comment similar to the following may be useful: This atypical compound melanocytic proliferation involves both peripheral biopsy edges, and the findings may not be representative of the lesion as a whole. Further recommendations including to rebiopsy any residual or recurrent lesion at the site, or conservative reexcision recommended should be provided. High 13 also advises that pathologists should provide guidance to the clinician by suggesting biopsy techniques that are most likely to render the most accurate information (eg, recommending deep saucerization or conservative excision rather than shave biopsy). An additional problem encountered concerns partial biopsies of melanocytic lesions for which the size of the lesion could significantly influence the pathologist s concern about it. For example, broad lesions on acral skin are a source of greater concern than small, symmetric ones. Therefore, a partial biopsy of an acral melanocytic lesion for which a size of 3 mm has been provided by the clinician would be less concerning than one for which a size of 10 mm has been provided. In our opinion, the clinical size of a melanocytic lesion, especially if the biopsy is a partial sample, is essential clinical information that must be provided by the submitting physician. The absence of lesion size information should prompt a comment that The size of the lesion has not been provided. Partial biopsies of melanocytic lesions may not be representative of the lesion as a whole. Epidermal Lesions A very common problem in dermatopathology is the superficial biopsy of squamous proliferations. The superficial epidermal changes of many lesions can overlap; for example, the top of a basal cell carcinoma, an actinic keratosis, and an invasive squamous cell carcinoma, can all appear identical if only the superficial layers of the epidermis are examined. Unfortunately, a definitive diagnosis may not be possible on specimens that are suboptimal/inadequate owing to biopsy technique (Figure 4, A and B). 14 It is prudent to consider additional levels in an attempt to identify diagnostic features in these biopsies. 15 However, if only superficial epidermis persists despite level sections, it is necessary to resort to descriptive diagnoses. If the biopsy has sampled only the top of a squamous lesion, options for the diagnostic line include surface of an atypical squamous proliferation or dysplastic squamous lesion, transected at the base, with an additional comment that a definitive diagnosis is not possible owing to the superficial biopsy. Some superficial biopsies of dysplastic squamous lesions would lend themselves to a diagnosis of at least actinic keratosis, transected at the base, invasive squamous cell carcinoma cannot be excluded. These diagnoses provide Arch Pathol Lab Med Vol 140, August 2016 Dermatopathology Reporting Trotter et al 763

6 Figure 4. Partial biopsies requiring caution in pathology sign-out. A, Partial sampling of an acral actinic keratosis, but invasive carcinoma cannot be excluded. B, Surface of a very keratotic squamoproliferative lesion, with minimal epidermis for evaluation. C, Superficial shave specimen of a junctional melanocytic proliferation, with no clinical description or lesion size provided. D, Superficial biopsy to rule out basal cell carcinoma or sebaceous hyperplasia; no lesion sampled, biopsy likely too superficial (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnifications 320 [A through C] and 340 [D]). the clinicians with the information that the lesion appears to be squamous, that there is the possibility of a deeper lesion including invasive carcinoma that has not been sampled, and leaves them the option to rebiopsy or follow up the patient according to their degree of clinical suspicion about the lesion. In all such cases, an attempt to make a diagnosis is appropriate, but we should not feel obligated to stretch ourselves to render a possibly incorrect diagnosis on an inadequate specimen. A descriptive diagnosis with a comment describing the biopsy limitations is appropriate. REPORTING MARGINS FOR BASAL CELL CARCINOMA Biopsies and excisions of basal cell carcinomas are among the most common dermatopathology specimens received. It has been repeatedly established that recurrences of basal cell carcinoma occur even when margins of the original biopsy are reported as negative; in contrast, many reexcisions of margin-positive basal cell carcinomas contain no residual tumor. 16,17 Given this, one must exercise caution when interpreting and reporting margins on basal cell carcinoma. The recurrence of carcinoma in patients who had negative margins on the original procedure has been attributed to the bread-loafing technique used in grossing surgical pathology specimens, wherein the entire circumferential margin is not visualized and there is the potential to miss a focally positive margin. 18,19 In light of this, in excision specimens in which the visualized margin appears negative, it would be prudent to report this as margins clear in the planes of examined sections, which conveys to the clinician that the entire circumferential margin has not been examined. Another possible source of missed positive margins occurs when the epithelial component of basal cell carcinoma is free of the margins, but the stromal reaction around the tumor extends to the margin (Figure 5, A and B). This is particularly a problem in superficial pattern basal cell carcinomas, which often show discontinuity in a given lesion, rather than a tumor with well-defined margins. According to LeBoit, 20 stromal changes at the margin of a basal cell carcinoma most likely indicate that there is residual tumor beyond that margin. Likewise, a scar at the margin should be an indication that residual tumor may be left in the patient. 764 Arch Pathol Lab Med Vol 140, August 2016 Dermatopathology Reporting Trotter et al

7 Figure 5. Stromal reactions adjacent to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can make margin assessment difficult. A, Superficial pattern BCC: intervals between carcinoma nests are similar to the distance from nearest margin. B, Tumor stromal reaction at a painted margin (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnifications 320 [A] and 340 [B]). Basal cell carcinoma may be seen in the triangular specimen tips of a bread-loafed elliptical excision. Two options are available: (1) examine multiple deeper sections through the tissue block, or (2) consider the tip margins negative if the tumor is not present at the painted surgical resection margins. We favor option 2 because unless the entire ellipse is serially sectioned, it makes little sense to examine multiple deeper levels from the specimen tips. In summary, the surgical pathologist should report margins on basal cell carcinoma with appropriate comment or warning regarding the possibility of a missed positive margin due to sampling error. If peritumoral stroma is seen at a margin, this should be reported with inclusion of a comment that stromal reaction at a margin is suspicious for an incompletely excised lesion. Finally, given various treatment measures used for basal cell carcinoma, both surgical and medical, it is advisable to report margins on this tumor, but recommendations regarding reexcision should be avoided, unless requested by the clinician. 21 CONCLUSIONS Using generic diagnoses for some benign lesions, listing pertinent negatives in the pathology report, and using logical risk management strategies when reporting on basal cell carcinoma, partial biopsies, or specimens with incomplete clinical information allow the pathologist to convey relevant and useful diagnostic information to the treating clinician and to sign out skin specimens in an efficient manner. References 1. Comfere NI, Peters MS, Jenkins S, Lackore K, Yost K, Tilburt J. Dermatopathologists concerns and challenges with clinical information in the skin biopsy requisition form: a mixed-methods study. J Cutan Pathol. 2015;42(5): Eads TJ, Chuang TY, Fabré VC, Farmer ER, Hood AF. The utility of submitting fibroepithelial polyps for histological examination. Arch Dermatol. 1996;132(12): Andersen WK, Labadie RR, Bhawan J. Histopathology of solar lentigines of the face: a quantitative study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997;36(3, pt 1): Fraga GR, Amin SM. Large cell acanthoma: a variant of solar lentigo with cellular hypertrophy. J Cutan Pathol. 2014;41(9): Jang KA, Kim SH, Choi JH, Sung KJ, Moon KC, Koh JK. Lichenoid keratosis: a clinicopathologic study of 17 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43(3): Lever WF. Inverted follicular keratosis is an irritated seborrheic keratosis. Am J Dermatopathol. 1983;5(5): Mehregan AH. Inverted follicular keratosis is a distinct follicular tumor. Am J Dermatopathol. 1983;5(5): Cohen LM, Bennion SD, Johnson TW, Golitz LE. Hypermelanotic nevus: clinical, histopathologic, and ultrastructural features in 316 cases. Am J Dermatopathol. 1997;19(1): Martinka M, Bruecks AK, Trotter MJ. Histologic spectrum of melanocytic nevi removed from patients.60 years of age. J Cutan Med Surg. 2007;11(5): Wong C, Peters M, Tilburt J, Comfere N. Dermatopathologists opinions about the quality of clinical information in the skin biopsy requisition form and the skin biopsy care process: a semiqualitative assessment. Am J Clin Pathol. 2015;143(4): Babwah JP, Khalifa M, Rowsell C. Analysis of addenda in anatomic pathology as a quality monitoring initiative. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014;138(11): Ng JC, Swain S, Dowling JP, Wolfe R, Simpson P, Kelly JW. The impact of partial biopsy on histopathologic diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146(3): High WA. Malpractice in dermatopathology principles, risk mitigation, and opportunities for improved care for the histologic diagnosis of melanoma and pigmented lesions. Clin Lab Med. 2008;28(2): Sellheyer K, Nelson P, Bergfeld WF. Nonspecific histopathological diagnoses: the impact of partial biopsy and the need for a consensus guideline. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(1): Bruecks AK, Shupe JM, Trotter MJ. Prospective step sections for small skin biopsies. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007;131(1): Nagore E, Grau C, Molinero J, Fortea JM. Positive margins in basal cell carcinoma: relationship to clinical features and recurrence risk: a retrospective study of 248 patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2003;17(2): Jackson JE, Kelly B, Petitt M, Uchida T, Wagner RF Jr. Predictive value of margins in diagnostic biopsies of nonmelanoma skin cancers. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67(1): Rapini RP. Comparison of methods for checking surgical margins. JAm Acad Dermatol. 1990;23(2, pt 1): Kimyai-Asadi A, Goldberg LH, Jih MH. Accuracy of serial transverse crosssections in detecting residual basal cell carcinoma at the surgical margins of an elliptical excision specimen. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;53(3): LeBoit PE. Stroma, interrupted. Am J Dermatopathol. 2001;23(1): Weinstein MC, Brodell RT, Bordeaux J, Honda K. The art and science of surgical margins for the dermatopathologist. Am J Dermatopathol. 2012;34(7): Arch Pathol Lab Med Vol 140, August 2016 Dermatopathology Reporting Trotter et al 765