Sophie Spitz
Encyclopedia
Sophie Spitz, M.D. was an American
pathologist who published the first case series of "juvenile melanoma," (a special form of benign
melanocytic nevi
), skin lesions that have come to be known as Spitz nevi
.
Spitz was born in Nashville, Tennessee
. Her parents were Jewish and had emigrated from Germany
. Her uncle, Dr. Herman Spitz, was a pathologist and inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. She earned her MD
from Vanderbilt University
in 1932 and commenced her residency at the New York Infirmary for Women and Children.
Spitz met and married her husband, Dr. Arthur Allen, also a pathologist, in 1942. At around this time, she joined the Army Institute of Pathology, where she remained until 1945. It was here she developed an interest in tropical diseases and co-authored "Pathology of tropical diseases: An atlas" with James Earle Ash.
Following World War II
, she returned to work at the New York Infirmary and also at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
, where she described the twelve cases of what was then known as Juvenile Melanoma and recognized that these lesions have benign behavior despite their microscopic resemblance to melanoma
. This clinically important information came to be published in the American Journal of Pathology in 1948, and the lesion now bears her name.
was popularised. For her contributions to pathology, and especially for her foresight in advocating the use of the pap smear
when it was newly-devised, she is recognized as a prominent pathologist of her time.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pathologist who published the first case series of "juvenile melanoma," (a special form of benign
Benign
A benign tumor is a tumor that lacks the ability to metastasize. Common examples of benign tumors include moles and uterine fibroids.The term "benign" implies a mild and nonprogressive disease. Indeed, many kinds of benign tumors are harmless to human health...
melanocytic nevi
Melanocytic nevus
A melanocytic nevus is a type of lesion that contains nevus cells .Some sources equate the term mole with "melanocytic nevus". Other sources reserve the term "mole" for other purposes....
), skin lesions that have come to be known as Spitz nevi
Spitz nevus
A Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic nevus, a type of skin lesion, affecting the epidermis and dermis....
.
Spitz was born in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. Her parents were Jewish and had emigrated from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Her uncle, Dr. Herman Spitz, was a pathologist and inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. She earned her MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in 1932 and commenced her residency at the New York Infirmary for Women and Children.
Spitz met and married her husband, Dr. Arthur Allen, also a pathologist, in 1942. At around this time, she joined the Army Institute of Pathology, where she remained until 1945. It was here she developed an interest in tropical diseases and co-authored "Pathology of tropical diseases: An atlas" with James Earle Ash.
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, she returned to work at the New York Infirmary and also at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
, where she described the twelve cases of what was then known as Juvenile Melanoma and recognized that these lesions have benign behavior despite their microscopic resemblance to melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
. This clinically important information came to be published in the American Journal of Pathology in 1948, and the lesion now bears her name.
Death
At 46 years of age, Spitz died from colon cancer, before the term Spitz nevusSpitz nevus
A Spitz nevus is a benign melanocytic nevus, a type of skin lesion, affecting the epidermis and dermis....
was popularised. For her contributions to pathology, and especially for her foresight in advocating the use of the pap smear
Pap smear
The Papanicolaou test is a screening test used in to detect pre-cancerous and cancerous processes in the endocervical canal of the female reproductive system. Changes can be treated, thus preventing cervical cancer...
when it was newly-devised, she is recognized as a prominent pathologist of her time.