The utility of skin biopsies in pediatric cancer patients: a single-institution, retrospective review

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2001 Mar;40(3):139-47. doi: 10.1177/000992280104000303.

Abstract

Medical records of all patients who were diagnosed with a malignancy and who underwent a skin biopsy were reviewed to determine the clinical utility of skin biopsies in this population. Skill biopsies resulted in a change or refinement of the prebiopsy diagnosis in 44% of patients undergoing an initial evaluation for a malignancy, 57% of patients on therapy, and 17% of patients off therapy. Skin biopsies led to a change in therapy in 26%, 34%, and 17% of each respective group. Overall, the skin biopsy changed or refined the prebiopsy diagnosis in 45% of cases and altered therapy in 38%. Skin biopsy is a clinically useful tool in pediatric oncology patients for the evaluation of cutaneous findings that elude diagnosis by visual inspection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / diagnosis*
  • Leukemia / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Washington

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents