Dermatologist Fails To Conduct Biopsy For Patient With Melanoma Symptoms

Case Overview

This case involves a 52-year-old female patient who regularly saw a dermatologist. The defendant dermatologist noted an abnormal finding on the patient’s cheek. Although the dermatologist noted the finding in the patient’s records, he failed to ever biopsy it. The patient visited a cancer center two and a half years after the original detection of the abnormal finding. The area was biopsied and the patient was diagnosed with advanced stage melanoma. A dermatologist with expertise in skin cancer was sought to opine on what effect a delay in the diagnosis of this length might have on a patient’s melanoma prognosis.

Questions to the Oncology expert and their responses

Do you routinely treat patients with melanomas?

I am an expert in skin cancer. I previously oversaw the division of dermatologic surgery at an Ivy League university medical center. My practice is exclusive to skin cancer and surgery only. I see many melanoma patients and have lectured on this topic.

Are you able to opine on the standard of care regarding when to biopsy an abnormal finding?

If a lesion is noted to be abnormal and noted in the medical record, it should be biopsied or followed up in a few months. If not biopsied, there should be a clear reason why. I would be able to provide an opinion as to whether or not the delay in diagnosis affected the patient's prognosis.

About the expert

This expert has 10 years of experience in the field of dermatologic oncology. He earned his BS in physiology and neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego, and his MD from the University of California, Los Angeles. He completed a residency in dermatology and a fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology at Columbia University. Today, this expert is board certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery. He stays active in his field as a member of various professional societies and is a named fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. He has published 18 peer-reviewed papers and serves as a reviewer for six renowned medical journals. Previously, he served as director of dermatologic surgery at Good Dermatology and as the medical director of dermatology and cutaneous oncology at Science 37, Inc. Currently, he serves as the director of cutaneous oncology, dermatologic surgery, dermatology, and the high-risk skin cancer clinic at a medical school in Washington, DC, where he also serves as an associate professor of dermatology and oncology.