SEER Inquiry System - Question 20091125 Details

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Question 20091125

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Inquiry Details

References:

#1: 2008 SEER Manual, 4

#2: 2008 SEER Manual, 81

Question:

Ambiguous terminology/Reportability--Thyroid: Should a thyroid case be accessioned based only on a cytology that is consistent with papillary carcinoma? See Discussion.

Discussion:

Instructions in the 2007 SPCSM state that we are not to accession a case based only on a suspicious cytology. Does this rule apply only to the term "suspicious" or does it apply to all ambiguous terms? Example: FNA of thyroid nodule is consistent with papillary carcinoma.

Answer:

Do not accession the case if the cytology is the only information in the medical record. The phrase "Do not accession a case based only on suspicious cytology" means that the cytology is the only information in the record. If there is other information that supports the suspicion of cancer (radiology reports, physician statements, surgery), then accession the case. The phrase "suspicious cytology" includes all of the ambiguous terms.

Cancer Site Category:

Thyroid

Data Item Category:

N/A

Other Category:

Ambiguous terminology, Reportability

Year:

2009