SEER Inquiry System - Question 20000418 Details

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SEER Inquiry System - Report

Produced: 08/26/2025 7:17 AM

Question 20000418

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Inquiry Details

References:

SEER EOD-88, 3rd Ed, 103

Question:

Measured Thickness/EOD-Extension--Melanoma: If the Clark's level is not provided, can it be estimated using the depth of invasion provided in the pathology report and associating that number with the Clark's levels identified in the SEER Summary Staging Guide?

Discussion:

Answer:

For cases diagnosed 1998-2003:

No. Do not use the SEER Summary Stage Guide or any other guide to derive an estimated Clark's level from the thickness identified in the pathology report. The two measurements need to come directly from the pathology report. Each is coded separately in EOD. Thickness is collected in a separate field so we can capture the actual measurement stated in the pathology report. This has made it possible for us to group depth of invasion for analysis purposes in any manner we might wish. In addition, we can always collapse this information to the Summary Stage or TNM using the AJCC rules. AJCC rules use both depth of invasion and thickness in determining pathologic staging, and, if there is an inconsistency between them, the rules say code to the higher T classification, that is, the least favorable finding.

Cancer Site Category:

Melanoma

Data Item Category:

N/A

Other Category:

N/A

Year:

2000