Dermatopathologic Approach to Diagnostic Challenges in the Head and Neck

The head and neck is an extremely common location for tumors of cutaneous origin. This is primarily the result of chronic UV exposure inducing DNA damage in epidermal and (less so) dermal cells, and the year-round exposure of this anatomic site. Most neoplasms will require histopathologic evaluation for accurate diagnosis, and often staging information, as well as margin assessment. Some tumors will require ancillary testing in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Although an extremely wide range of diagnostic entities occur on the head and neck, this chapter covers the most commonly encountered and critically important cutaneous tumors and the diagnostic approach to them.