Overview
The researchers believe that pro-angiogenic factors are upregulated in a wide range of dermatologic diseases, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, angiofibromas, Kaposi's sarcoma, angiosarcoma, scars, rosacea, and psoriasis. Select specimens may undergo genetic analysis to investigate underlying molecular pathways associated with dysregulated angiogenesis in cutaneous disease.
Biospecimens, either previously obtained or newly collected from dermatologic conditions, will be analyzed for angiogenic markers. Discarded skin tissue from surgical or biopsy procedures may also be used, including both diseased and non-diseased tissue from the same donor. Some specimens may also undergo genetic analysis to investigate underlying molecular pathways.
De-identified data such as age, sex, race, cause of death, lesion location, and description will be recorded. Currently, specimens are limited to clinically diagnosed lesions not typically biopsied, or lesions already confirmed by prior biopsy.
Description
Biospecimens from various dermatologic diseases, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, angiofibromas, Kaposi's sarcoma, angiosarcoma, scars, rosacea, and psoriasis will be evaluated for markers of angiogenesis. Additionally, researchers can use discarded human skin tissue samples from skin biopsy/surgery sites, which are removed for closure but are not submitted for histopathologic analysis. We may use donated tissue with both dermatologic disease and non-diseased tissue from the same donor. Biopsies may also be taken for molecular and genetic analysis of specimen. Non-identifiable information regarding the patient, such as age, sex, race, cause of death, location, and description of diseased skin may be recorded.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- 16 years of age or older.
- willing to have a skin biopsy
Exclusion Criteria:
- under 16 years of age
- unable to carry out instructions
