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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 06/10/2026 7:08 AM
Question 20051059
Inquiry Details
References:
Question:
Behavior/Date of Diagnosis--Lung: If the term "Pancoast tumor, NOS" is malignant by definition, should the date of diagnosis be coded to the date of the clinical diagnosis when the clinical diagnosis is made prior to the histologic confirmation of the malignancy?
Discussion:
Answer:
Yes, Pancoast tumor is by definition malignant. It is defined as a lung cancer in the uppermost segment of the lung that directly invades into the brachial plexus (nerve bundles) of the neck, causing pain. If a Pancoast tumor was identified on imaging prior to the biopsy, the date of diagnosis should be linked to the Pancoast tumor report.
Cancer Site Category:
Lung
Data Item Category:
Behavior, Date of diagnosis
Other Category:
N/A
Year:
2005
