Lack of communication between dermatologists and histopathologists in real-life settings: a survey of the Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists (ADOI)

Abstract

Skin cancer incidence is increasing worldwide. Clear communication between dermatologists and histopathologists, along with the possibility of sharing clinical images, is critically important. This survey aims to depict the level of communication between dermatologists and histopathologists in clinical practice in Italy. A group of histopathologists participating in monthly online meetings were recruited to participate in our survey. We collected information regarding dermatologists’ habits in providing or not providing clinical and dermatoscopic images of melanocytic/keratinocytic lesions. A total of 63 histopathologists agreed to participate. Fewer than 15% of histopathologists receive routine clinical or dermatoscopic images from dermatologists after the surgical excision of a melanocytic lesion, while clinical and dermoscopic images of non-melanoma skin cancers are sent in fewer than 10% of cases. Our survey revealed that, in Italy, the communication between dermatologists and pathologists is far from being optimal.

Keywords

• Histopathologist
• dermatologist
• survey
• skin cancer
• clinic-pathologic correlation
• dermoscopy