Their specialty, dermatopathology, is a combination of "dermatology," the study of the skin, and "pathology," the study of disease. With an accessible team of board-certified dermatopathologists and a highly trained support staff, Cockerell Dermatopathology approaches every specimen with the utmost care, treating each one as if it came from a member of our own family. Dermatopathology (from Greek δέρμα, derma 'skin' + πάθος, pathos 'fate, harm' + -λογία, -logia 'study of') is a joint subspecialty of dermatology and pathology or surgical pathology that focuses on the study of cutaneous diseases at a microscopic and molecular level.

Understanding the Context

Our national dermatology diagnostics laboratory was founded on dermatopathology and aimed to consistently provide expertise in diagnosing skin, hair, nail, and soft tissue diseases. Dermatopathology is the study and description of structural and compositional changes that occur in skin disease. From a practical point of view, dermatopathology involves the microscopic examination, description and interpretation of biopsy specimens obtained from the skin. Dermatopathology research at UT Southwestern is concerned not only with common and rare skin cancers but also with inflammatory skin diseases including lupus, psoriasis, morphea, and others.

Key Insights

Dermatopathology is a branch of medicine that combines the expertise of dermatology (the study of skin) and pathology (the study of disease). Cockerell Dermatopathology is a physician own practice with a FAMILY oriented mission that is focused on diagnostic excellence and continuing education. We serve local, regional, national, and international dermatologic clinicians and would be honored to have you join our FAMILY.