For reporting of cancer mortality data, SEER has defined major site groups based on the International Classification of Diseases versions 6-10 for year of death 1950+ and 8-10 for year of death 1969+. The site groupings are defined consistently over time to facilitate reporting of long term trends.

Version Details
Current Definitions
COD Recode 1969+
(03/01/2018)*
  • Introduced to incorporate ICD-10 codes that were added after last update.
    • The new codes are not yet used in the U.S., but are used elsewhere. Update simply categorizes the new codes into the appropriate COD. With the previous version these would have been considered invalid values.
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 8-10.
  • Definition for SEER*Explorer and the SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2015 and later releases.
  • Definition for the "COD to Site Recode" variable in the 1973-2015 SEER Research Data (November 2017 submission) and later releases.
  • Definition for the "Cause of Death Recode" variable in the 1969-2015 U.S. Mortality Data and later releases.
  • Available as "Cause of Death Recode" in SEER*Prep 2.5.4 and later releases (not available in previous versions).

* Additional variable available for COVID-19 cause of death. The new variable has one additional grouping for COVID-19 (2020+). In the original variables, COVID-19 deaths are included in the Other Cause of Death grouping.

COD to Site Recode ICD-O-3 2023 Revision
  • Included in the 1975-2020 SEER Research Data (November 2022 submission).
  • Not used by SEER to report cause of death.
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 8-10.
  • Updated to include additional anatomic sites and different groupings for Hematopoietic neoplasms.
COD to Site Recode ICD-O-3 2023 Revision Expanded (1999+)
  • Available for 1999+ diagnoses only
  • Included in the 2000-2020 SEER Research Data (November 2022 submission).
  • Not used by SEER to report cause of death.
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 10.
  • Updated to include additional anatomic sites and clinically relevant groupings for Hematopoietic neoplasms.
Historic Definitions
COD Recode 1950+
(4/15/2002)
  • Definition only includes cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 6-10.
  • Definition for the SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2001, 1975-2000, and 1973-1999
  • Not available in SEER*Prep.
COD Recode 1969+
(04/16/2012)
  • Introduced because ICD-10 code, A09, moved from "Other Infectious and Parasitic Diseases" to "Other Causes of Death".
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 8-10.
  • Definition for the SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2009 thru the November 2016 submission.
  • Definition for the "COD to Site Recode" variable in the 1973-2009 SEER Research Data (November 2011 submission) thru the November 2016 submission.
  • Definition for the "Cause of Death Recode" variable in the 1969-2009 U.S. Mortality Data thru the November 2016 submission.
  • Available as "Cause of Death Recode" in SEER*Prep 2.5 thru the November 2016 submission (not available in previous versions).
COD Recode 1969+
(9/17/2004)
  • Introduced to account for several valid ICD-10 codes.
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 8-10.
  • Definition for the SEER Cancer Statistics Review,1975-2002 through the 1975-2008 versions.
  • Definition for the "COD to Site Recode" variable in the 1973-2002 SEER Research Data (November 2004 submission) through the 1973-2008 releases.
  • Definition for the "Cause of Death Recode" variable in the 1969-2005 U.S. Mortality Data through the 1969-2008 releases.
  • Available as "Cause of Death Recode" in SEER*Prep 2.3 and later (not available in previous versions).

COD Recode 1969+
(3/25/2004)
  • Introduced to more consistently define several non-cancer causes of death over time.
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 8-10.
  • Definition for the SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2001.
  • Definition for the "COD to Site Recode" variable in the 1973-2001 SEER Research Data (November 2003 submission).
  • Definition for the "Cause of Death Recode" variable in the 1969-2001 U.S. Mortality Data available in SEER*Stat.
  • Available as "Cause of Death Recode" in SEER*Prep 2.2 and later (not available in previous versions).
COD Recode 1969+
(1/27/2003)
  • Introduced to be compatible with changes to SEER Incidence Site Recode needed to accommodate ICD-O-3.
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 8-10.
  • Definition for the SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2000.
  • Definition for the "Cause of Death to SEER Site Recode" variable in the 1973-2000 SEER Research Data (November 2002 submission).
  • Definition for the "Cause of Death Recode" variable in the 1969-2000 U.S. Mortality Data available in SEER*Stat.
  • Not available in SEER*Prep 2.2 and later.
  • Available as "Cause of Death Recode" in SEER*Prep 2.0 and 2.1 (not available in previous versions).
COD Recode 1969+
(4/15/2002)
  • Definition includes both cancer and non-cancer causes of death.
  • Based on ICD 8-10.
  • Definition for the SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1973-1999.
  • Definition for the "Cause of death to SEER Site Recode" variable in the 1973-1999 SEER Research Data (November 2001 submission).
  • Definition for the "Cause of Death Recode" variable in the 1969-1999 U.S. Mortality Data available in SEER*Stat.
  • Not available in SEER*Prep 2.2 and later.
  • Available as "Cause of death recode (old-4/2002)" in SEER*Prep 2.0 and 2.1.
  • Available as "Cause of death recode" in SEER*Prep 1.9.