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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 10/15/2025 4:57 AM
Question 20130009
Inquiry Details
References:
#1: Subject matter expert
#2: 2014+ Grade Instructions
Question:
Grade--Pancreas: Can the grade be coded when a biopsy is taken from the part of a primary tumor that has contiguously extended into an adjacent organ or structure? See Discussion.
Discussion:
The grade rule states to code grade from tissue removed from the primary tumor only, never from a metastatic site or a site of recurrence. There is no mention of whether the grade can be coded if only the contiguous site of involvement is biopsied when a single tumor directly extends to an adjacent tissue or organ. For example, is grade coded to 2 when a pancreatic tumor extends into the duodenum, and the duodenal biopsy confirms moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma consistent with a pancreatic primary? Or does the primary organ/site have to be biopsied in order to be able to code grade?
Answer:
For one tumor involving a contiguous site, when there is no tissue specimen available from the primary site, you may code the grade based on the tissue from the tumor in the contiguous site.
This instruction is included in the upcoming grade instruction document.
Cancer Site Category:
Pancreas
Data Item Category:
N/A
Other Category:
N/A
Year:
2013
