Breslow Tumor Thickness
This input is used for staging
Description
Breslow Tumor Thickness, the measurement of the thickness of a melanoma as defined by Dr. Alexander Breslow, is a prognostic factor for Melanoma of the Skin. A measure of how deeply a melanoma tumor has grown into the skin. The tumor thickness (depth) is usually measured from the top of the tumor to the deepest tumor cells. If the tumor is ulcerated (the skin is broken), it is measured from the base of the ulcer to the deepest tumor cells. Breslow thickness is used to help determine the stage of cancer. Thicker tumors are linked with lower survival rates.Notes
**Note 1:** **Physician Statement** * Physician statement of Breslow Tumor Thickness can be used to code this data item when no other information is available, or the available information is ambiguous. **Note 2:** **Breslow's depth** * Code a measurement specifically labeled as **thickness** or **depth** or **Breslow depth of invasion** from the pathology report. * In the absence of this label, a measurement described as taken from the cut surface of the specimen may be coded. And in the absence of either of these labels, the third dimension in a statement of tumor size can be used to code this field.| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0.0 | No mass/tumor found |
| 0.1 | Greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 0.1 |
| 0.2-99.9 | 0.2 - 99.9 millimeters |
| XX.1 | 100 millimeters or larger |
| A0.1-A9.9 | Stated as "at least" some measured value of 0.1 to 9.9 |
| AX.0 | Stated as greater than 9.9 mm |
| XX.8 | Not applicable: Information not collected for this schema (If this item is required by your standard setter, use of code XX.8 will result in an edit error) |
| XX.9 | Not documented in medical record Microinvasion; microscopic focus or foci only and no depth given Cannot be determined by pathologist Non-invasive neoplasm (behavior /2) Breslow Tumor Thickness not assessed or unknown if assessed |