Site-Specific Factor 8

Primary Tumor Regression

Notes

**Note 1:** Regression is most often recognized in relation to the radial growth phase (RGP). Characteristic features include segmental absence of in-situ melanoma cells or melanoma cells with microinvasion into the papillary dermis. The papillary dermis shows patchy lymphocytic inflammation, diffuse coarse fibrosis, and collections of melanophages. Intact melanoma is usually evident on one or both sides of the area of regression. Regressive changes may be seen without residual flanking melanoma cells and (after scrutiny of multiple tissue levels) may be viewed as constituting putative complete regression of the lesion. Vertical growth phase (VGP) regression is less common and is usually seen as an area within a tumorigenic compartment that is replaced by lymphocytes and fibrosis and often also by melanophages constituting "tumoral melanosis". **Note 2:** Record the primary tumor regression as documented in the pathology report. If the primary tumor regression is not identified, code regression as absent.

Default

988

NAACCR Item

NAACCR #2862
Code Description
000 No regression present
Regression not identified
Regression absent
010 Regression present
988 Not applicable: Information not collected for this case
998 No histologic examination of primary site
999 Unknown or no information
Not documented in patient record