Collaborative Stage

Note 1: Tumor involvement of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) appears to be a strong prognostic factor for local or systemic recurrences and survival after surgery.
Note 2: The CRM may also be referred to as the circumferential radial margin.
Note 3: According to AJCC 7th edition, "the CRM is the surgically dissected non-peritonealized surface of the specimen. It corresponds to any aspect of the colorectum that is not covered by a serosal layer of mesothelial cells and must be dissected from the retroperitoneum or subperitoneum in order to remove the viscus. In contradistinction, serosalized surfaces of the colorectum are not dissected; they are naturally occurring anatomic structures and are not surgical margins. The circumferential surface of surgical resection specimens of ascending colon, descending colon or upper rectum is only partially peritonealized, and the demarcation between the peritonealized surface and the non-peritonealized surface (corresponding to the CRM) of such specimens is not always easily appreciated on pathologic examination."
Note 4: Record in millimeters to the first decimal point, the distance between leading edge of tumor and nearest edge of surgically dissected margin as recorded in the pathology report. For example, if the CRM is 2 millimeters, code 020. If the margin IS involved (positive), use code 000.
Note 5: Use code 999, CRM not mentioned, if the pathology report describes only distal and proximal margins or margins NOS. Only specific statements about the CRM are collected in this data item.

Code	Description
000	Margin IS involved with tumor Circumferential resection margin positive Described as "less than 1 millimeter"
001-009	.1-.9 millimeters (code exact size in millimeters)
010-980	1- 98 millimeters (code exact size in millimeters)
988	Not applicable: Information not collected for this case (May include cases converted from code 888 used in CSv1 for "Not applicable" or when the item was not collected. If this item is required to derive T, N, M, or any stage, use of code 988 may result in an error.)
990	No Residual Tumor identified on specimen
991	Margins clear, distance from tumor not stated Circumferential resection margin negative
992	Described as "less than 2 mm," or "greater than 1 mm," or "between 1 mm and 2 mm"
993	Described as "less than 3 mm," or "greater than 2 mm," or "between 2 mm and 3 mm"
994	Described as "less than 4 mm," or "greater than 3 mm," or "between 3 mm and 4 mm"
995	Described as "less than 5 mm," or "greater than 4 mm," or "between 4 mm and 5 mm"
996	Described as "greater than 5 mm"
998	Patient did not have surgery No histologic confirmation
999	Unknown CRM not mentioned Not documented in patient record

Rectum

CS Site-Specific Factor 6
Circumferential Resection Margin (CRM)

Rectum

CS Site-Specific Factor 6Circumferential Resection Margin (CRM)

CS Site-Specific Factor 6
Circumferential Resection Margin (CRM)