Breslow Thickness (Melanoma Skin)

Note 1 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 Code Breslow tumor thickness, not size. Record actual measurement in tenths of millimeters from the pathology report. Measurement given in hundredths of millimeters should be rounded to the nearest tenth.

• *Examples*
  0.4 mm - 0.4
  1.0 mm- 1.0
  2.5 mm - 2.5
  2.56 mm- 2.6
  11 mm - 11.0
  12.35 mm - 12.4

Note 3 Code the greatest measured thickness from any procedure performed on the lesion, whether it is described as a biopsy or an excision.

• For *example,* if a punch biopsy with a thickness of 1.5 mm is followed by a re-excision with a thickness of residual tumor of 0.2 mm, code 1.5.

Note 4 If there are multiple procedures and the pathologist adds the measurement together to get a final Breslow’s depth, the registrar can use this.

• Do not add the measurements together, only the pathologist can do this

Note 5 If the pathologist describes the thickness as "at least," use the appropriate A code. An exact measurement takes precedence over A codes.

• If the pathologist states "greater than" instead of "at least", code to XX.9, unless it is greater than 9.9 mm (Code AX.0)

• *Examples*
  Pathologist states the thickness is "at least 2.0 mm." Code A2.0
  Pathologist states the thickness is "greater than 4 mm." Code XX.9