SEER Inquiry System - Question 20230051 Details

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Produced: 02/09/2026 4:08 AM

Question 20230051

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Inquiry Details

References:

#1: Subject matter expert

#2: 2023 SEER Manual, 172. Surgical Margins of the Primary Site

Question:

First Course Treatment/Surgical Margins of the Primary Site--Melanoma: Is margin status positive or negative when the lesion “approximates” margins? This was noted in the pathology report comment on a malignant melanoma in-situ shave biopsy. Follow-up with physicians is not possible in this situation.

Discussion:

Answer:

Assign margin status as “positive” when stated as approximates margins as recommended by our expert pathologists. Approximating means coming right up to inked margin without the margin transecting the tumor.

Cancer Site Category:

Melanoma

Data Item Category:

First course treatment

Other Category:

N/A

Year:

2023