Christine Ko, MD
Professor of Dermatology and PathologyCards
About
Titles
Professor of Dermatology and Pathology
Biography
Dr. Christine Ko is Professor of Dermatology and Pathology. She is board certified in dermatology with a specialty certificate in dermatopathology. Most of her time is spent in the Division of Dermatopathology, where she renders diagnoses for skin biopsies, sent in to Yale from Yale Dermatology Associates and other dermatology practices in Connecticut. Dr. Ko currently specializes in Transplant Dermatology, providing care for patients with organ transplants who are generally on immunosuppressive medications and are at higher risk for skin cancer.
Dr. Ko received her AB at Princeton University and MD from New York University School of Medicine. She completed internship at UCLA, and her dermatology residency at University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma, in collaboration with researchers in the Department of Genetics and the Division of Dermatologic Surgery.
Appointments
Dermatology
ProfessorPrimaryPathology
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cutaneous Granulomatous Disorders Program
- Dermatology
- Dermatopathology
- Genomics, Genetics, and Epigenetics
- Pathology
- Pathology and Molecular Medicine
- Pathology Research
- Skin & Kidney Cancer Program
- Surgical Pathology
- WHRY Pilot Project Program Investigators
- Women's Health Research at Yale
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Dermatology Associates
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- University of California, Los Angeles, CA (2004)
- Resident
- University of California, Irvine, CA (2003)
- Intern
- University of California, Los Angeles, CA (2000)
- MD
- New York University School of Medicine (1999)
- BA
- Princeton University (1995)
Research
Overview
I tend to focus on how to distinguish between diseases and disorders that may present in a similar fashion clinically and/or microscopically. I have published papers as well as books in clinical dermatology and dermatopathology (Dermatology: Visual Recognition and Case Reviews, Dermatology Essentials, Dermatopathology: Diagnosis by First Impression).
I am also interested in mechanisms of carcinogenesis, particularly as they relate to squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and a spontaneously regressing tumor called keratoacanthoma.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Clinical Care
Overview
Dermatologist Christine J. Ko, MD, prides herself on being able to provide patients with an accurate diagnosis so they can have the most effective treatment possible. Just as important to her are the relationships she forms with her patients, whether they are adults, adolescents or children. “I try to treat patients as I would a family member with the same condition,” she says.
In addition to being a clinical dermatologist, Dr. Ko is also a skin pathologist, or dermatopathologist. This additional training helps her to better evaluate skin biopsies for her patients.
Dermatopathology is a key part of dermatology, says Dr. Ko. “The correct diagnosis often rests on a careful correlation between clinical and microscopic findings, something that is especially important for complex cases,” she says. “We can arrive at this diagnosis by reviewing prior biopsies, taking new biopsies, and consulting our team of dermatologists and dermatopathologists at our weekly Grand Rounds meetings.”
A professor of dermatology and dermatopathology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Ko is particularly interested in skin cancer. “One of my passions is to better understand the mechanisms of squamous cell carcinogenesis,” says Dr. Ko. This is one of the most common types of skin cancer today and is highly treatable if detected early, she says.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Cancer
Learn More on Yale MedicineCancer Screening
Learn More on Yale MedicinePhotoaging (Sun Damage)
Learn More on Yale MedicineViral Warts
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Dermatopathology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Dermatology
- Original Certification Date
- 2004
Yale Medicine News
Links & Media
Media
- Dermatopathology: Diagnosis by First Impression, 3rd edition, Wiley
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Keratoacanthoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma in situ
- Dermatology: Visual Recognition and Case Reviews, Elsevier
News
- May 01, 2024
Yale Pathology Faculty Members Recognized as Top Doctors
- January 17, 2024Source: STAT News
Hair loss is one of the most hated chemotherapy side effects. A new biotech hopes to prevent it
- May 17, 2023Source: CT Mirror
CT dermatologist: Get to know your skin
- May 11, 2023
Discoveries & Impact (May 2023)