Mitotic rate measures how quickly cancer cells are dividing and growing.
This article explains mitotic rate, what it means, and why it’s important.
If you have a suspicious lesion or mole, your healthcare provider will send abiopsyspecimen to the pathologist.
The pathologist will examine the sample under a microscope.
Mitosis is an easily identifiable characteristic of dividing cells.
The measurement is given as the number of mitoses per square millimeter.
How Important Is Mitotic Rate in Melanoma?
Talking With Your Healthcare Provider
Always request a copy of your pathology report.
Read it and ask your healthcare provider questions about it.
Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion about the diagnosis from a specialist, such as adermatopathologist.
It appears on your pathology report along with other measurements like Breslow thickness and ulceration.
Melanoma Research Alliance.Breslow depth and Clark level Breslow depth.
AIM at Melanoma Foundation.Understanding your pathology report.
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Attis MG, Vollmer RT.
Mitotic rate in melanoma: a reexamination.
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2007;127(3):380-4.
2005;32(4):268-73.
