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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 04/11/2026 5:25 PM
Question 20091062
Inquiry Details
References:
2007 SEER Manual, C-192. Appendix C
Question:
CS Site Specific Factor--Head & Neck: How is Site Specific Factor 2 coded when the pathologist describes regional lymph nodes as "matted"? See Discussion.
Discussion:
The primary tumor is located in the tonsil. The patient underwent neck dissection. Pathology report stated there were matted regional lymph nodes. Does the term matted describe extracapsular extension? The definition for site specific factor 2 uses the term "fixed" to describe extracapsular extension (but not matted). For breast, fixed/matted appear to be interchangeable. Would they also be interchangeable for head and neck cases?
Answer:
This answer was provided in the context of CSv1 coding guidelines. The response may not be used after your registry database has been converted to CSv2."Matted" is not a synonym for "Fixed" in the CS schema for Head and Neck. "Matted" is not indicative of extracapsular extension for the Head and Neck schema.
Cancer Site Category:
Head & Neck
Data Item Category:
N/A
Other Category:
N/A
Year:
2009
