An official website of the United States government
Home
SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 06/27/2026 8:56 AM
Question 20071007
Inquiry Details
References:
2007 MP/H Rules. H8, Note 1
Question:
MP/H Rules/Histology: In the absence of a tissue diagnosis, should the histology field be coded based on the findings of a suspicious cytology or a CT scan that clinically confirmed the diagnosis? See Discussion.
Discussion:
Cytology (brushings at ERCP) which are highly suspicious of adenocarcinoma. A CT of the abdomen performed the next day shows a mass, most likely Klatskin tumor. Can the histology be coded to Klatskin tumor [8162/3] based on the CT findings?
Answer:
For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, code the histology to 8162/3 [Klatskin tumor] using the histology from the CT. This case is confirmed clinically based on the CT. It cannot be accessioned based on suspicious cytology.
Rule H8 in the 2007 Histology Coding Rules for Other Sites provides instructions for coding histology when the pathology report and cytology report are not available.
History:
For cases diagnosed prior to January 2007:
This case is confirmed clinically based on the CT. It cannot be accessioned based on suspicious cytology.
Code the histology 8162/3 [Klatskin tumor] using the histology from the CT.
References:
2004 SEER Manual, pg 4, 1.b. exception
2004 SEER Manual, pg 85, #1
Cancer Site Category:
N/A
Data Item Category:
Histology
Other Category:
N/A
Year:
2007
