Patient resource
Breslow thickness
Why the measured depth of melanoma matters to subsequent decisions.
What Breslow thickness means
It is the pathological measurement of melanoma depth in millimetres using a standard method.
Why it matters
Along with ulceration and other clinical information, it contributes to pathological staging and influences the discussion about surgical margins and sentinel lymph node biopsy.
What to check in the report
The report should be read as a whole. If a specimen is partial, transected or otherwise limited, the measured depth may not represent the full lesion.
Reviewed September 2026. General information only; individual decisions require clinical assessment.