Dermatopathology Laboratory Services

The UCI Health Dermatopathology Laboratory specializes in providing clinically relevant analysis and interpretation of biopsies of the skin, mucous membranes and superficial soft tissue. 

Our dermatopathologists routinely assist physicians in diagnosing challenging inflammatory disorders and neoplasms, including pigmented lesions, Merkel cell carcinomas, soft tissue neoplasms, cutaneous lymphomas, alopecias, autoimmune blistering disorders and urgent inpatient cases..

Our dermatopathologists include:

Our goal is to strive for the highest quality patient care.

For more information or to request a consultation, please email dermpath@hs.uci.edu or call 714-456-5556.

We offer a full range of skin diagnostic services, including:

  • Pathologic evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains
  • Consultation for second opinions
  • Direct immunofluorescence studies
  • Molecular studies for melanomas

We use the CoPath Pathology Management system to better serve our referring physicians. This reporting system provides results with quick turnaround times, using secure, automated faxing of reports that meet patient privacy requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Please contact our lab for more information regarding:

  • Submission requisitions forms and supplies
  • Specimen requirements and transport
  • Report status and results
  • Billing inquiries and assistance

We are happy to assist and guide you in any way we can. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be of service.

Contact us

Phone: 714-456-5556
Fax: 714-456-8859
Email: dermpath@hs.uci.edu

Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m

Location:
101 City Drive South
Building 52, Room 123
Orange, CA 92868

To submit a wet specimen to the Dermatopathology Lab, please download a copy of our submission form ›

Submission requirements:

  • Shaded areas on the slip are required fields that must be filled in to avoid any delay in processing your specimens or slides. And specimens with missing or conflicting information will not be processed until clarification can be obtained from the submitting physician.
  • Wet specimens are read as original diagnosis.
  • Next, attach a copy of the patient’s demographic information and a copy of the patient’s current insurance information with the submission form. (If the patient has HMO insurance, please include the authorization.)
  • Follow standard formalin shipping guidelines when sending specimens. If you have questions about how to send your specimens, please contact us at 714-456-5556.
  • If your specimen is urgent, please mark your paperwork “urgent,” along with your contact number so that our dermatopathologist can reach you.
  • Send your specimen to:

    UCI Health Dermatopathology
    101 The City Drive South
    Building 52, Room 123 (Mail Route 98)
    Orange, CA 92868

Slides read by the dermatopathologist for a second opinion are slide consultations.

To submit slides for consultation or a second opinion, please download a copy of the submission form ›

Submission requirements:

  • Shaded areas on the slip are required fields that must be filled-in to avoid any delay in the processing of your specimens or slides. Specimens with missing or conflicting information will not be processed pending clarification from the submitting physician.
  • When filling out the submission form, list each slide being submitted on its own line.
  • When sending multiple cases but want only a specific case to be read, indicate the slide by number on the submitting slip. (All slides submitted will be reviewed and billed appropriately unless otherwise specified.)
  • Please send the original hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slide and any associated special stains and immunohistochemical stains. If possible, also send the tissue block or five (5) unstained-charged slides in the event that further immunoperoxidase testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
  • Attach a copy of the patient’s demographic information and a copy of the patient’s current insurance information with the submission form. (If the patient has HMO insurance, please contact the dermatopathology lab at 714-456-5556.)
  • Please include a preferred return address for the specimens being sent.
  • If your specimen is urgent, please mark "urgent" on your paperwork and include a contact number for our dermatopathologist.
  • Please send your specimen to:

    UCI Health Dermatopathology
    101 The City Drive South
    Building 52, Room 123 (Mail Route 98)
    Orange, CA 92868

Provider requests

Providers requesting UCI Health slides or UCI Health Dermatopathology reports can do so by completing an Authorization for Release of Health Information form.

Requirements:

  • Provide the name and address to where the slide(s) should be mailed. Please write legibly to avoid any delays in sending the requested information.
  • Slides will be sent via certified mail to the requester.
  • Providers needing slides sooner may provide a FedEx slip to facilitate delivery.
  • Please fax your request to UCI Health Dermatopathology Lab at 714-456-8859, attention Medical Records Request.

Patient requests

Patients requesting that their UCI Health slides or reports be sent to another provider can do so by completing an Authorization for Release of Health Information form.

Requirements:

  • Please provide the name and address where the slide(s) should be mailed. Write legibly to avoid any delays in sending the request. Slides will be sent via certified mail to the provider.
  • If the requester needs urgent delivery, please provide a FedEx slip and slides will be sent overnight.
  • Please fax requests to the UCI Health Dermatopathology Lab at 714-456-8859, attention Medical Records Request.

Patients seeking a personal copy of a report may do so during an office visit or request a copy by completing an Authorization for Release of Health Information form.