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The tumor site, histology, and behavior combination validity standards for cancer surveillance featured in CPC*Search are based on criteria established by Cancer PathCHART for cases diagnosed between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2026 only. These criteria determine whether oncology data specialists (ODSs) can assign codes for a given tumor site, histology, and behavior combination.
What is the CPC*Search?
CPC*Search is an interactive webtool that allows ODSs and other users to search the latest Cancer PathCHART ICD-O-3 Site Morphology Validation List (CPC SMVL) validity standards by tumor site, histology, and behavior terms and associated codes.
Displayed by year of diagnosis, search results include the expert pathologist-assigned CPC Validity Status of tumor morphology (histology and behavior) by site and organ system, which indicate if a specific tumor site-morphology combination is biologically valid, impossible, or unlikely.
| CPC Validity Status | Site-Type Edit Errors | Coding in Cancer Registry Database |
|---|---|---|
| Valid | Will not generate edit errors | Can be coded |
| Impossible | Will generate an edit error | Cannot be coded |
| Unlikely* | Will generate an edit error | Requires manual override or correction to site and/or morphology to be coded |
* Unlikely tumor site-morphology combinations are included in CPC*Search but were not included in the latest Cancer PathCHART ICD-O-3 Site Morphology Validation List (CPC SMVL) for diagnosis years 2024, 2025, and 2026.
The CPC Validity Status was derived from an interdisciplinary review by subspecialty matter expert pathologists and ODSs. Sites with updated standards for diagnosis years 2024, 2025, or 2026 are listed by implementation year on the Cancer PathCHART: Product Downloads page.
Validity status was assigned to site-morphology combinations using existing 2023 standards as follows.
| 2024 Standard Used for Primary Sites Not Yet Reviewed | 2024 Validity Status |
|---|---|
| 2023 ICD-O-3 SEER Site/Histology Validation List | Valid |
| 2023 Primary Site, Morphology-Imposs ICDO3 (SEER IF38) | Impossible |
| Combinations not included in 2023 Valid or Impossible standards listed above | Unlikely |
Additional information about the latest Cancer PathCHART ICD-O-3 Site Morphology Validation List (CPC SMVL) for diagnosis years 2024, 2025, and 2026 can be found on the Cancer PathCHART Product Downloads web page.
For determining multiple primaries and/or histology, ODSs should refer to the latest SEER Solid Tumor Rules or the Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Neoplasm Database.
ODSs should use CPC*Search as a reference to validate site and morphology code combinations assigned for cases diagnosed January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026.
CPC*Search Tool
Visit the CPC*Search to explore the latest Cancer PathCHART ICD-O-3 Site Morphology Validation List (CPC SMVL) for cases diagnosis in 2024, 2025, or 2026.
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