Breslow depth

A measure of how deeply a melanoma tumour has grown into the skin. The tumour thickness (depth) is usually measured from the top of the tumour to the deepest tumour cells. If the tumour is ulcerated (the skin is broken), it is measured from the base of the ulcer to the deepest tumour cells. Breslow depth is used to help determine the stage of cancer. Thicker tumours are linked with lower survival rates. Also called Breslow thickness1.
     

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