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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 01/07/2026 9:41 AM
Question 20091061
Inquiry Details
References:
2007 SEER Manual, 90
Question:
Multiplicity Counter--Head & Neck: How is this field coded when a patient has carcinoma in the same location as a previous primary but it is unknown if there was a disease-free interval? See Discussion.
Discussion:
Patient was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, single tumor of the right true vocal cord in May 2008. Tumor was treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Excision of right vocal cord mass in February 2009 shows squamous cell carcinoma.
Answer:
Assign code 01 [one tumor only] for the example provided (see discussion). Given the information provided, there is no reason to suspect that the February 2009 diagnosis represents new tumor; therefore, it does not affect the multiplicity counter. It appears that this was the treatment plan for the original diagnosis in May 2008: radiation and chemo followed by excision of the mass.
Cancer Site Category:
Head & Neck
Data Item Category:
N/A
Other Category:
N/A
Year:
2009
