SEER Inquiry System - Question 20000422 Details

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Produced: 05/02/2026 8:31 AM

Question 20000422

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Inquiry Details

References:

SEER Program Code Man, 3rd Ed, 122

Question:

Surgery of Primary Site: Should laparoscopy be coded as exploratory surgery? See discussion.

Discussion:

Many surgeons are doing exploratory surgery with laparoscopy involving a very small incision, but they can examine organs and take biopsies. Should laparoscopy be coded as exploratory surgery?

Answer:

For cases diagnosed 1/1/1998 and later: Exploratory surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic surgeries, are not coded in the Surgery of Primary Site field.

History:

For cases diagnosed prior to 1998: Laparoscopic surgery should be coded as exploratory surgery because the organs can be examined and biopsies taken.

Cancer Site Category:

N/A

Data Item Category:

Surgery of Primary Site

Other Category:

N/A

Year:

2000