SEER Inquiry System - Question 20021004 Details

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Question 20021004

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Inquiry Details

References:

SEER Book 5, 261

Question:

Histology: What code is used to represent the histology for the abbreviation "ca"? See discussion.

Discussion:

The abbreviation "ca" results in inconsistency when coding histology by a group of coders. Many abbreviation guides list both cancer (8000/3) and carcinoma (8010/3) as definitions for "ca." Page 261 of the SEER Self Instructional Manual, Book 5 lists carcinoma as the definition for "ca."

Example: What histology is used for a case with a clinical diagnosis of "recently diagnosed uterine ca" with metastasis to the pelvic lymph nodes?

Answer:

For uterine primaries, code the abbreviation "ca" to 8010/3 [carcinoma, NOS].

When coding death certificate only (DCO) cases, if the site is coded to an unknown primary and no specific histology information is available other than the abbreviation "ca," interpret ca as cancer (8000/3) per NAACCR Procedure Guidelines for Registries, Series V; Resolving Death Clearance Issues, page V-15.

Cancer Site Category:

N/A

Data Item Category:

Histology

Other Category:

DCO

Year:

2002